Liverpool Shenanigans: Charge Three's A Crowd

3) Cllrs Bradley and Storey have both made comments in the media about Mr Harborow in his role as Chief Executive of the Culture Company in particular, and in relation to the Mathew Street Festival cancellation and subsequent report.
These behaviours undermine the Officer concerned and would place the Council in a serious legal position if the Officer concerned had sought legal advice, about unfair and/or critical public comments made about him.

For information, my Deputy Leader, Councillor Paul Brant warned of such a risk in a letter to the Acting City Solicitor and Monitoring Officer Mr Kenworthy, the Head of Finance Mr Phil Halsall and to the Chief Executive and Head of the paid service Colin Hilton - as the three officers with special statutory duties to protect the interests of the Council.

He set out our concerns about the behaviour of the two councillors. It was made clear that this could, and would, be perceived as bullying and intimidation.

Cllr Brant was subsequently told by email that the matter was already being considered by the Monitoring Officer and Chief Finance Officer.

Subsequently, it was confirmed that Cllr’s Bradley and Storey had been warned by the officers about their conduct in putting the Council at risk. No doubt you will seek the various email traffic related to this topic and obtain a full version of events from the Officers in due course.

i) Councillor Bradley breached Clause 5 of the Code and brought his position and authority into disrepute by publicly critiscising an officer of the council.
ii) Councillor Storey breached Clause 5 of the Code and brought his position and authority into disrepute by publicly critiscising an officer of the council.
iii) Councillor Bradley breached Paragraph 3 of the Code by failing to treat Mr Harborow with respect by publicly demanding he should be relieved of his duties.
iv) Councillor Bradley breached Paragraph 3 of the Code by seeking to involve Mr Forde in an attempted conspiracy to remove a current council employee (Mr Harborow).
v) Councillor Bradley breached Clause 7 (1) (a) and (b) by ignoring the advice of the Chief Finance Officer and Monitoring Officer in making repeated statements to the media which were critical of Mr Harborow.