Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon faces investigation into conduct
by Krysta Eaves, Evening Gazette
Sep 20 2011
MIDDLESBROUGH Mayor Ray Mallon has mounted a defence after it emerged he is to face an investigation into his conduct.
Local government watchdog Standards for England is to probe a number of allegations relating to the mayor.
The accusations include claims he did not treat others with respect, brought his office and authority into disrepute and improperly used his position.
Mr Mallon said he was aware a number of complaints were made against him to the Standards Board prior to and since May’s mayoral election.
He said: “Having analysed the allegations I am convinced they are all politically motivated and were designed to prevent me from being successful at the mayoral election.
“The allegations surround a number of areas which include my chairing of particular meetings which involved Boro Cars, that I brought the council into disrepute and comments I made to the press at the time of the election.
“I do not believe any of the allegations have foundation. All of my actions were in the interests of the public.”
Mr Mallon said the Standards Board had informed him it was investigating allegations. To date, they had not requested to interview him.
Mr Mallon has prepared a 300-page statement to refute the allegations.
He said that due to the ongoing investigation it would be wrong for him to comment in detail on the probe.
He said the statement documented his relationship with Boro Cars boss Mohammed Bashir particularly with regard to events of the two years leading up to this year’s Mayoral election.
In the run up to that election Mr Mallon was at the centre of controversy after covertly recorded discussions with Mr Bashir were revealed.
The tapes, made by Mr Bashir, led to the “sex slur” storm where the mayor used an inappropriate sexual analogy to describe a council officer.
A Standards Board for England spokeswoman said: “I can confirm that we are currently carrying out an investigation into a number of allegations against Mr Mallon.”
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