Thursday, March 17, 2005
After a string of allegations about Haverhill councillors an investigation by the Standards Board has found "No evidence of any breach of the code of conduct"
The following is an extract from the Haverhill Echo full story is on http://www.haverhillecho.com/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1724&ArticleID=973445
Cleared!
Vindicated Labour Haverhill councillors have spoken of their delight at being exonerated by the Standards Board for England (SBfE), the body which monitors councillor behaviour.
Around 70 complaints were made to the board, accusing councillors of failing to declare prejudicial interests and of breaching the councillors' code of conduct. Of the complaints, 28 were investigated and all those into Labour councillors are now complete, and have cleared the councillors of any wrongdoing.This week, Haverhill Labour leader Cllr Maggie Lee spoke out for the first time since the allegations were made and said she was 'delighted' with the result, but said the investigations had overshadowed the last year. Cllr Lee said: "I'm delighted. In some ways I'm not surprised, but you begin to wonder and feel depressed about the whole thing"Cllr Gerry Kiernan shared Cllr Lee's concern at the length of time the investigation had taken but said he was pleased with the outcome."If it were not for the Standards Board, there would be a lot of allegations flying about that would be a stain on the character of some very honest people," he said.And he said the town council was now starting to get back on track. "We are working well together and we've got a good opportunity to get the council back to where it wasCllr Ann Thomas, who was the subject of five complaints, said the inquiries had affected her so badly she 'nearly had a nervous breakdown' and said if she'd known what was to come she might not have stood for the town council."We've definitely been targeted as a group," she said. Former town councillor and current borough councillor Pat Hanlon said it had done 'great damage to the town' but said: "We've just to go from here and start again."And Cllr Ernie Goody said he had been 'vindicated' and was looking forward to the council working together again after 'a very difficult year'."It's been a very trying time and quite worrying for concerned, even though there was no doubt we'd done nothing wrong," he said.
The following is an extract from the Haverhill Echo full story is on http://www.haverhillecho.com/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1724&ArticleID=973445
Cleared!
Vindicated Labour Haverhill councillors have spoken of their delight at being exonerated by the Standards Board for England (SBfE), the body which monitors councillor behaviour.
Around 70 complaints were made to the board, accusing councillors of failing to declare prejudicial interests and of breaching the councillors' code of conduct. Of the complaints, 28 were investigated and all those into Labour councillors are now complete, and have cleared the councillors of any wrongdoing.This week, Haverhill Labour leader Cllr Maggie Lee spoke out for the first time since the allegations were made and said she was 'delighted' with the result, but said the investigations had overshadowed the last year. Cllr Lee said: "I'm delighted. In some ways I'm not surprised, but you begin to wonder and feel depressed about the whole thing"Cllr Gerry Kiernan shared Cllr Lee's concern at the length of time the investigation had taken but said he was pleased with the outcome."If it were not for the Standards Board, there would be a lot of allegations flying about that would be a stain on the character of some very honest people," he said.And he said the town council was now starting to get back on track. "We are working well together and we've got a good opportunity to get the council back to where it wasCllr Ann Thomas, who was the subject of five complaints, said the inquiries had affected her so badly she 'nearly had a nervous breakdown' and said if she'd known what was to come she might not have stood for the town council."We've definitely been targeted as a group," she said. Former town councillor and current borough councillor Pat Hanlon said it had done 'great damage to the town' but said: "We've just to go from here and start again."And Cllr Ernie Goody said he had been 'vindicated' and was looking forward to the council working together again after 'a very difficult year'."It's been a very trying time and quite worrying for concerned, even though there was no doubt we'd done nothing wrong," he said.
