Tory Cover up Attempt on Axon Deal Fails

Labour Group ensure full independent investigation into Axon fiasco.

Labour with the support of 4 out of 5 Liberal Democrat Councillors ensured at the Council meeting on 16th December, 2009 that there would be a full independent investigation into the Axon fiasco.

An amendment moved by Labour Finance spokesperson, Councillor Andrew Johnson, which spelt out the terms of reference for the inquiry and the mechanism for appointing the investigator was voted through by 31 votes to 26.

This move, which took place in private session followed a row earlier when Labour Leader, Councillor Roger Lawrence argued that it was in the public interest for the matter to be discussed in open public session but was narrowly defeated by 29 votes to 28.

It is unprecedented for the Council to meet in private session and deny the public access to knowledge of how their money is being spent. This is nothing less than a blatant attempt by the Tories to cover up this fiasco. Discussion of such matters should be transparent and in the public domain – we’re supposed to be running a Council not a secret society,” said Councillor Lawrence after the meeting.

Labour Finance spokesperson, Andrew Johnson said:
"There was no way we could support the report that was written for Cabinet and Council which was highly selective about the facts. For example, we say that the external consultancy advice necessary to secure the £10.16m savings over ten years, which it credits to Axon, should have cost no more than £250,000 – not the £7.1m actually paid out to the firm. Securing the investigation at least means that the truth will be known.”

To view the terms of reference of the investigation agreed by Council click here.