Brent Conservative Councillors And The Leader Of The Opposition

EDM number 239 in 1997-98, proposed by Ken Livingstone on 14/07/1997.

That this House expresses its grave concern at the conduct of Brent Conservative councillors Duffin, Tobert and Winters, who in September 1996 were found guilty of maladministration by the local ombudsman over planning matters relating to a local businessman; notes that the investigation by the ombudsman revealed that at a meeting of Conservative members of the Planning Committee, Councillor Tobert stated that the businessman had donated ú4,000 to the local association, and that it would upset the chairman of that association if they refused to grant the businessman's application; further notes that the businessman had in fact made donations only of ú1,940 prior to receiving planning permission, but made another payment of ú2,000 to the local Conservative party within 24 hours of the approval of the planning application; is appalled that, despite the findings of the local ombudsman, no action has been taken against these councillors by the Conservative Party; calls upon the Leader of the Opposition to remove any question of sleaze in Brent by suspending the three councillors and barring them from standing in the 1998 council elections; believes that the Leader of the Opposition should ensure that all monies donated following the planning application are returned; and believes that the Right honourable Member should stamp his authority on the errant Brent Conservatives by opening up the local association's accounts to public scrutiny to see if other donations were made by individuals or organisations which in any way relate to Brent council grants.

This motion has been signed by a total of 9 MPs.