Councillor cleared after probe into corruption claims

Published on Thursday 26 November 2009 08:37

THE leader of West Lothian Council said today he had been cleared of corruption allegations following a long-running investigation.

SNP councillor Peter Johnston and two others had faced allegations surrounding the administration's handling of planning applications, including charges of lobbying in support of certain plans and failing to declare financial interests.

Cllr Johnston broke his silence over the saga, which has dragged on for more than a year, after a report by the Office of the Chief Investigating Officer for Ethical Standards in Public Life was passed to the Standards Commission for its decision.

Labour councillors submitted 37 allegations in relation to the conduct of Cllrs Johnston, Gordon Beurskens, Jim Dickson, Willie Boyle and Greg McCarra – all members of the SNP-led council administration.

Although the report has not been made public, Cllr Johnston said he believed he and Cllrs Boyle and McCarra have been completely exonerated while Cllrs Beurskens and Dickson potentially face a Standards Commission hearing for allegedly breaching the Councillors' Code of Conduct for "minor" issues.

Cllr Johnston said: "We've had these allegations of corruption hanging over our heads for more than a year now and it's time the record was set straight.

"There is no corruption in our planning department and the allegations were made wholly without foundation. The Standards Commission said I acted in a timeous and appropriate manner and that I took the appropriate action at all times. Our planning system maintains its integrity."

The allegations related to two planning applications in particular, an 8 million development at Whitrigg in East Whitburn for a hotel, 100 houses and a care home, and another at Gavieside, Polbeth.

Cllr Beurskens is also under police investigation after being reported by council chief executive Alex Linkston for his role in the Whitrigg application.

He was the consultant for the site's applicant, Aftondale Ltd, and stood accused of abusing his position as a councillor to get planning consent for the site.

He said: "I am delighted for my colleagues who have been subjected to a series of atrocious attacks in other sections of the media, and their families who have been caused unnecessary worry and stress.

"It wouldn't be appropriate to comment on my own situation in advance of any other process."

Cllr Dickson stood down from his role as chairman of the planning committee after he was accused of taking a pre-determined view on live planning applications, instructing officers to change planning recommendations and bullying, threatening and intimidating planning officers at a meeting.

Cllr Boyle was said to have pressed officers into changing planning recommendations, discussed live applications, taken a pre-determined view then voted on them, lobbied for an application and conspired with Cllr Beurskens on the referral of the Whitrigg site to the committee.

Cllr McCarra was said to have pressured officers into changing recommendations, threatened planning officers and failed to declare that a planning applicant was a friend and political ally.

Cllrs Boyle, Dickson and McCarra declined to comment.

Labour councillor Graeme Morrice said: "We understand that the Standards Commission is taking this matter very seriously indeed, as are police who are investigating serious allegations of planning corruption and financial fraud."