On arriving home from work tonight a brown envelope was waiting for me. No! No! it wasn't a bung from a seafront developer looking for new opportunities in Ramsgate. It was something much more interesting.
It was a letter from Thanet Council informing me that a Mr Terence Painter has submitted a Standards Complaint against me for comments I made about him at a meeting of Thanet Council on 6 December 2012. My comments related to events reported in a recent BBC Newsroom South East programme, broadcast in January 2013 which made allegations about Mr Painter's Estate Agency handling of the sale of a flat at the Pleasurama Development. My comments were made with qualified privilege (whatever that is) in the Council Chamber so its pretty tricky to sue me for slander so I am told, especially if I believe I was telling the truth, which I do.
The letter went on to warn me not tell anyone that I had received the letter (uh?). Well anyone who knows me knows that's a red rag to a bull. I hate secrecy in public affairs. I can't be doing with it. So Thanet Council stick your secret letter up you jacksy. I will not be co-operating with your investigation and I will publish all correspondence related to it.
Perhaps you'd be brave enough to repeat whatever accusations you made whilst (ab)using the priveledge afforded you by the council chamber?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you'll stand by whatever the accusations are...
I bet there are some worried people wearing blue
DeleteSince it was a Labour administration that first set up this shabby deal, not to mention a sizeable donation to local party funds, perhaps there will also be some worried people wearing red.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteSo you going to publish the letter then Ian?
ReplyDeleteWe are talking about a standards system that lets drunk drivers and homophobes off the hook, but has a go at you for doing what we elected you to do; you hold people to account!
ReplyDeleteThanet Council's standards are in reverse!
Shame the accusations made don't actually hold any water, or you simply have no confidence in them, or why would you be so frightened to publish them on an open forum..
ReplyDeleteMore opportunistic publicity seeking, how shallow.
One could say the same about Roger Gale, who insults people via the media daily
DeleteYet Driver hides behind mis-use of the priviledge afforded him by the council chamber.
DeleteIan, fight fire with fire. I've just read the royal sands secret documents. I would suggest certain senior officers could be in a whole heap of trouble.
ReplyDeleteI honestly suggest you take this to the Police.
Well those documents were not very secret then if you have read them, 23:56, but, if they are so incriminating as you suggest, why don't you take them to the police? Think I can guess who you are, that bizarre person who thinks police, arrests and crminal proceedings are the answer to everything whether or not there is a shred of evidence on which to get a conviction.
DeleteFraud is not something to be dismissed. It's a criminal act to provide false bank guarantees and obtain benefits from them.
DeleteWe have no idea if the bank guarantees here have been cerrtified or just accepted. If they are real, certification is easy - ask Your counterpart to give the name of the certifying party and get your solicitor to check it out.
Anything does not stack up, call the police.
TDC should have performed all,of these tasks when going through the pleasurama process starting over a decade ago. If they have not subsequently checked things again in 2009 (or for the first time in 2009) then I'm afraid that could be misconduct for the seniors involved.
The BNP are to the left of this lot and they can't be bothered to hide it
ReplyDeleteThe left of which lot, 04:03? TDC in general or the ruling Labour administration in particular? I am not a fan of Labour but placing Clive and cronies to the right of the BNP is perhaps a bit harsh.
DeleteAgree with 06.30. and yes this was in fact thanet labour mess from bygone days. Let's say its come back full circle to bite them on bum!
ReplyDeleteHow odd that you must remain silent. Does this apply to all those that go before Standards? What if you need time off work? are you meant to lie to your employer. I see that another coouncilor that blogged about his Standards appearance took a "supporter" with him. Was that councilor sworn to secrecy too? If so how can you ask a "supporter" to come with you without telling them what for?
ReplyDeleteBut I guess you will have no trouble finding a "supported" within Thanet's councilors, even the leader I am sure can have his arm twisted to speak for you.
Do you remember the last bloke who claimed ownership of the isle, 'Ladyman's Thanet' in the local rag. That was until he lost his seat and then he could not kiss us goodbye fast enough. In fact, come to think of it, he did not even stop to do the kissing, leastways not in my direction.
ReplyDelete