Warren Bradley inquiry to last six months

Dec 23 2007 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

standards board

THE investigation into allegations that Liverpool council leader Warren Bradley and regeneration leader Mike Storey conspired to oust the city’s culture leader is likely to last around six months.

Last night, the Standards Board for England said it aimed to complete 90% of investigations within that period.

But it leaves the prospect of the investigation still hanging over Cllr Bradley as he leads the Liberal Democrats into crucial local elections in May, and seeks re-election himself to his Wavertree ward seat.

While Cllr Bradley has the safest seat in the city, he will be anxious to ensure his situation does not impact on colleagues in more marginal seats.

Cllrs Bradley and Storey are accused of conspiring to remove Culture Company chief executive Jason Harborow after they held a secret meeting with the council’s former event manager Lee Forde. They both deny any wrongdoing.

Mr Harborow is currently negotiating a pay-off from the city council. Council chief executive Colin Hilton was authorised by the appointments panel to hand out up to £250,000 to complete the deal.

Mr Forde, who was blamed for the cancellation of the summer’s Mathew Street Festival by the official report, is pursuing a constructive dismissal claim against the council.

The Standards Board decided on December 17 to refer the complaint against both senior councillors for investigation and an ethical standards officer has been assigned to the case.

Cllr Bradley will be investigated over allegations he conspired to remove an officer [Jason Harborow] and that his comments about Mr Harborow made it difficult for the Culture Company chief executive to perform his role.

The board has dismissed a claim Cllr Storey made comments about a senior officer [Mr Harborow], but found allegations he was involved in a conspiracy needed looking into.

Cllr Bradley is being investigated for potentially breaching the councillors’ Code of Conduct in two areas:

A member must not do anything which may cause their authority to breach equality legislation

A member must not bring his office or authority into disrepute.

Cllr Storey is only being investigated for the first.

Cllrs Storey and Bradley face being disqualified from office for up to five years.

davidbartlett