I’m going nowhere

Aug 28 2008 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

CHIEF constable Richard Brunstrom has denied he is to retire in December, 2009, despite reports saying he will step down next year.

Earlier this month the chief was reported to have told BBC Wales he is to retire at the end of his contract next year and disappear from public life.

But when the Weekly News broached the subject in a face to face meeting last week, the interview was cut short and his press officer insisted he would not answer questions on the matter.

However, while Mr Brunstrom made a hasty exit he couldn’t resist contradicting the earlier reports by stating he had not and would not announce any retirement ahead of stepping down.

Mr Brunstrom said: “I’m not retiring, I’m not doing a Tony Blair. If anyone has told you I’m retiring they are mistaken.

“Reports of my demise are sadly exaggerated. It is not happening, I’ve got work to do. I will retire one day – I will die one day – but not any time soon.”

This contradicts comments he apparently gave to BBC Wales when he had talked of going sailing.

“My wife and I intend to retire, sell up, buy a boat and go sailing while we are still fit and young enough to do so,” he was reported to have said.

“I don’t want to be the recipient of that old political saw that every political career ends in failure. I have a contract that goes to Christmas next year and I suspect by that time I will simply retire and disappear and you will not find me re-emerging as an aspiring politician, or indeed in any other field.”

But it seems Mr Brunstrom may have a little more time in the limelight yet before he disappears and sets sail into the sunset.

richard.evans