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| Leader discounts ‘eccentric’
rebels |
Special Report: Lib Dems in the
dock – Standards investigation rocks Town Hall
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Cllr Dave Barnes
Cllr Richard Heseltine
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TOWN Hall Lib Dem leader Steve Hitchins has launched a stinging
attack on two former party members, dismissing them as “eccentrics”
who commanded no respect among colleagues.
Cllr Hitchins revealed his opinion of ex-party members Richard Heseltine
and Dave Barnes while under cross-examination at Tuesday morning’s
Adjudication Panel for England hearing into allegations of “cronyism”.
Speaking of Cllr Heseltine’s early objections to Helen Bailey’s
application for the post of chief executive, he told the hearing:
“He’s a self-styled maverick. I would call him eccentric.
He was in the process of marginalising himself at the time. He’s
not someone whose values carry a great deal of weight with me or
any of my colleagues.”
Cllr Hitchins was equally as dismissive when asked why Cllr Barnes,
now a Labour councillor, had chosen to break ranks over Ms Bailey
and to raise concerns that her appointment could be seen as politically
motivated in a memo to Liberal Democrat admin assistant Ruth Polling
in 2002.
He said: “Cllr Barnes is another one of these slightly eccentric
characters. He has never been on any employment panel. He’s
not a person whose views anyone would have respect for on the council.”
The councillors had borne grudges after failing to be appointed
to the posts they desired, he said. Cllr Hitchins added: “From
that point on they were very frustrated politicians. That’s
politics, that’s what happens and neither of their allegations
had anything to do with this investigation.”
In January this year, Cllr Heseltine, now an independent councillor,
wrote to the Standards Board appealing for the case to be dismissed.
He told its chief executive David Prince: “Having originally
expressed reservations about the appointment of Helen Bailey as
Islington’s chief executive in July 2002, two-and-a-half years
later it is now clear to me she has proved to be an excellent appointment.
“The proof is in the pudding and standards have risen impressively.”
He even praised the selection panel, saying: “The committee
did Islington stakeholders a great service by securing Helen Bailey,
whose qualities and skills were already known to leading council
members.
“They have been vindicated in opting for a known performer
rather than being seduced by flattering CVs or polished interview
techniques.”
Boss failed to make initial shortlist
VEREDUS, the personnel interview specialists, refused in its
statement to the Standards Board for England to comment on why Helen
Bailey failed to make the shortlist for the chief executive post
she eventually filled.
In a statement to the Board’s adjudication panel, consultant
Neville Wilkinson said the initial 39 applications for the post
were first whittled down to a long list of 12, which included Ms
Bailey. But she failed to make the shortlist of seven, although
her name was added later.
Mr Wilkinson added: “As far as Helen Bailey is concerned, I
won’t comment on that one.”
The firm’s statement gave an insight into the process of hiring
a new chief executive.
It was revealed that Lib Dem councillor Dorrie Valery backed Helen
Bailey from the first interview, while Labour councillor Mary Creagh
chose a candidate known only in interview notes as “number
26”.
Because of consultancy commitments in Montserrat, Ms Bailey was
the last person to be interviewed. |
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