Speaking on the Government Information Agency (GINA) weekend broadcast programme ‘Answers’, she said allegations are investigated but, due to a lack of supporting evidence, appropriate action cannot be taken in some cases.

Westford said persons are either afraid or just do not want to come forward to testify and “this places us in a very uncomfortable situation”.

She said, because some of the rules and regulations governing the Public Service need to be amended, that prevents the necessary action being taken.

“At the moment, the most we can do, if there are submissions or allegations of corruption which are not corroborated by evidence, is, probably, try to remove those persons out of that situation,” Westford said, although she feels that is not the answer, as it may cause another occurrence of corruption.

The minister said it may be easier to obtain information about lower level workers than supervisors and managers and that might seem to be partiality.

“If there is a corrupt officer at the lower level, the officer who is at the higher level will, obviously, come forward and give that evidence,” she pointed out, but asked: “How many of the officers at the lower level would, willingly, come forward, even if they do have that information about the officer at the higher level?”

Westford said that is the problem confronting the Government, even though those officers are promised they will not be victimised.

She said there is protection for members of staff who provide such information. In such cases, the accusations are investigated without implicating the witness.