In November’s omnibus release of Chris Ellison’s dirty deeds – buried beneath the offshore tax scheme and the MinRes staff working on his luxury catamaran – was the board’s decision to set up an “Independent Ethics and Governance Committee”.

The committee’s mandate is wide. It will take a deeper look at Ellison’s litany of related-party transactions, as well as “review delegated authorities … and compliance functions” and oversee internal and external investigations, including whistleblower reports.