Investigation into councillors' actions is postponed

Nov 26 2009 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

A MEETING of the Standards Commission this week failed to discuss an investigation into two West Lothian councillors.

SNP Councillor Jim Dickson and hospital campaigner Gordon Beurskens were both referred to the Standards Commission after an investigation into the pair identified potential breaches of the councillors’ code of conduct.

The Office of the Chief Investigating Officer (CIO) — appointed by the Scottish Ministers to investigate and report on complaints alleging a breach of the code — looked into allegations about the councillors’ behaviour on planning issues on West Lothian Council.

And after studying the evidence and carrying out numerous interviews with councillors and council officers the CIO passed their final report to the Standards Commission.

Members of the Commission were due to meet on Monday to discuss the investigation but due to the unavailability of some of them the case was not heard.

A spokeswoman for the Commission told the Courier no date had been set for the investigation to be discussed.

The next scheduled meeting of the Commission is in December but a special meeting could be called before then if the convenor feels the case merits it.

If the CIO have concluded a breach of the code has been found then the members of the Commission must decide whether or not to hold a public hearing.

If a hearing is held, the Commission will decide whether there has been a breach and if so, what sanction (censure, suspension or disqualification) should be imposed.

However, West Lothian Council leader Peter Johnston has spoken of his delight after he and fellow SNP councillors Greg McCarra and Willie Boyle were cleared of 18 allegations of being involved in multiple breaches of planning regulations.

The three councillors were reported to the Commission by the Labour group who alleged they were involved in multiple breaches of planning regulations including financial irregularities and bullying council employees.

The council leader said in total 37 allegations were made and he claimed 32 of them had been completely dismissed.

Councillor Johnston added: “All the allegations made against myself, Greg McCarra and Willie Boyle have been dismissed.

“In respect of myself the Standards Commission said I acted in an appropriate manner throughout.

“I am very keen not to give the impression that three of us have been exonerated and other two are in big trouble as that would be unfair.

“I would very much like to comment on the allegations against my colleagues but it is confidentiality rules which prevent me from doing so.

“What I can say is that no allegation of corruption has been substantiated against any of my colleagues.

“The independent Anderson Report is a clear indication that we not only took these allegations seriously but we investigated them and our planning system is functioning properly.

“I am very much looking forward to putting this behind us and moving on.”

West Lothian Council’s Labour group leader, Councillor Graeme Morrice, said he is confident the issue is being examined carefully.

He said: “The Labour Group have still to see the report but we understand that the Standards Commission are taking this matter very seriously indeed, as are the police who are investigating serious allegations of planning corruption and financial fraud.”