Woolas calls for independent  investigation of LibDem Oldham’s “fiasco” kitchen firm prosecution

 

3 February 2009

 

Phil Woolas wants chief executive Charlie Parker and LibDem council leader Howard Sykes to answer questions about the “reckless pursuit” of the Crown Court case which collapsed on January 12.

 

He is calling for an independent investigation of their role in the loss of millions of pounds because of the failed prosecution.

 

Phil Woolas said: “The public needs a swift and thorough investigation into the roles of which politicians and which chief officers were responsible for deciding to prosecute Vance Miller and his fellow directors, once all the evidence had been gathered and examined.”

 

“It is time to call in the the independent government watchdog, the Audit Commission” he says.

 

At Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court, Judge Jonathan Foster threw the case out after 17 weeks, calling it misconceived from the start and an abuse of the court process. Three other defendants were also cleared.

 

LibDem leader of Oldham Council, Howard Sykes along with the Chief Executive he appointed, Charlie Parker are refusing to answer questions about their role in the fiasco because of an inquiry they set up into the actions of Oldham Trading Standards head Tony Allen.

 

Phil and the other two local MPs have written to Oldham Council saying “As a result of the reckless pursuit of this case, the costs of this fiasco both to date and in terms of potential claims from Mr Miller, could run into many millions.”

 

Phil says they want private reports from senior officers and councillors and briefing papers about the case to be reviewed. Talking about the LibDem leader and the Chief Executive, the letter says: “In essence, the questions should be about who knew what and when — and if they did not know, they should surely have been closely involved in such important decisions.”

 

This comes as the suspended head of Oldham Trading Standards,

Tony Allen has broken his silence to insist that people above him made the decisions. He told the Oldham Chronicle: “The decision to prosecute was made by others much more senior than I.”