ERYC: Corruption Allegations – Up-Date

ERYC: Corruption Allegations – Up-Date

Subsequent to the publication of two earlier articles:

• ERYC: Leader PARNABY Faces Corruption Allegations (01/04/17)
• ERYC: Developer Fires 2nd Salvo at Leader PARNABY (03/04/17)

out-lining the allegations of fraud and corruption made by local developer Mr Peter ROBINSON against ERYC Leader Councillor Stephen PARNABY [Con.] and certain Officers of the ERYC Planning Directorate, I can now report on an important development.

My thanks go to anti-corruption and pro-transparency campaigner Councillor Andy STRANGEWAY [Ind.] of East Riding of Yorkshire Council who has published on his private web-site a Press Statement on behalf of the Council’s Independent Group.

Coming, as it does, on the heels of the shock resignation of ERYC’s Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services Nigel LEIGHTON – and only a week after the departure of ex-CEO Nigel PEARSON – this Press Statement, in measured but uncompromising terms, steps up the ante in the anti-corruption war in a big way:

PRESS STATEMENT

“Recent allegations by a retired property developer in Cottingham have raised serious doubts about the integrity of the planning system in East Riding, citing collusion over many years between councillors and senior employees in response to bribes from developers. However, these serious allegations are being brushed aside within County Hall as the normal outcry from a customer whose plan failed to gain approval.  

The official dismissal of each and every allegation without even a basic enquiry, combined with outright refusal even to investigate, fuels the suspicion of collusion and cover-up. Every councillor is therefore under public suspicion of criminal activity, as is every officer of the planning department and every local developer.

As councillors we have a duty to restore confidence in the system and clear the names of the innocent. East Riding of Yorkshire Council cannot possibly investigate the people and businesses outside the council who are implicated in this matter, and the matter cannot simply be dismissed by a council bureaucrat as ‘sour grapes’.

If there really is nothing to hide, and hopefully that is the case, we should all support and welcome an independent investigation by an appropriate authority. If we do not do the right thing we will be rightly perceived as champions of corruption.”

Councillor Ros Jump, Secretary, ERYC Independent Group

– ENDS –

The message is clear: the air at County Hall is thick with smoke; why is nobody checking for fire?

In many ways, one is reminded of the Ben MARRIOTT fraud and corruption allegations at another Conservative Council nearby.