Labour failed to act on fraud, say Independents

Nov 27 2009 by Edwin Lawrence, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A LABOUR attack on councillors who have left the party to become Independent has re-opened a massive can of worms.

And it has prompted former Labour leader Councillor Douglas Campbell to speak out publicly for the first time on his old party’s failure to take effective action against fraud.

Present Labour leader Councillor John McDowall took a swipe at the Independents in the wake of last week’s defection of Councillor Eddie Bulik.

He said three ex-Labour councillors were simply ‘voting fodder’ for the Tory administration in South Ayrshire.

And Councillor McDowall said Councillors Campbell, Little and Bulik should ‘do the honourable thing’, resign immediately, and stand for election as independents.

Councillor McDowall’s comments were endorsed by Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock Labour MP Sandra Osborne.

She said: “I am very proud of the South Ayrshire Labour Group who have opposed at every turn the massive cuts and closures put forward and voted for by the Tory/SNP coalition, with the support of the so called independents.”

Mrs Osborne said she wanted people in Ayr to know that Labour councillors, Cathy Jamieson MSP, and herself as MP, would make sure townspeople ‘have Labour representation at every level’.

She insisted: “That’s what the people who elected Labour representatives expected and that’s what they are entitled to.”

But the attacks have spurred Councillor Campbell to spell out exactly why he stood down as leader, then left to be an independent.

He referred to an incident last February when Councillor Ian Cavana, witnessed by Councillor Helen Moonie, forged his (Councillor Campbell’s) signature on an official council document.

A council investigation concluded councillors Cavana and Moonie failed to maintain high standards expected of them.

Labour Party rules also require ‘the highest standards of probity and integrity’.

So this left Councillor Campbell perturbed when the party decided to support councillors Cavana and Moonie.

Councillor Campbell said this week: “Readers will come to their own conclusions about the Labour Party’s interest in probity and integrity, and no doubt reflect on the Westminster expenses scandal that has affected politics in general.”

Councillor Campbell added: “During my period as an Independent I have served constituents diligently and believe I have contributed significantly, along with councillors of other parties and none, in putting the council’s finances in order, supporting a new secondary school for north Ayr, a fully refurbished Dalmilling Primary, and significant investment planned for both Braehead and Heathfield primaries.

“I am working with community groups to improve local areas and with tenants’ groups to involve them in decision-making that affects council housing.”

Councillor Elaine Little left Labour a few weeks before Councillor Campbell, although her departure is thought to have been prompted by the same forged signature incident.

She said this week: “I can assure the people that I represent in Ayr West that I will continue to do so to the best of my ability and that my integrity is intact.

“I am mildly disappointed at the comments made from Sandra Osborne MP, but she has never contacted me to discuss the matter.

“I find John McDowall's description of me as an 'ersatz Tory' to be laughable, but in the true spirit of tit-for-tat, I have only one comment to make: ‘This lady is not for resigning’.”

Councillor Eddie Bulik, who quit Labour only last week, said he hadn’t yet voted as an Independent, so wasn’t anyone’s fodder.

He added: “I am also surprised that Sandra Osborne has chosen to attack me in such a way, as I have not resigned from the Labour Party.”

Councillor Bulik said he wouldn’t be taking lessons in ‘doing the honourable thing’ from Councillor McDowall.

He pointed out that Councillor McDowall was Labour Group whip at the time of the forgery scandal.

And Councillor McDowall had endorsed party support for councillors Cavana and Moonie, taking the view they had made a mistake rather being complicit in alleged fraud.

Councillor Bulik concluded: “However I intend to put this sideshow behind me, as there is a great deal of work to be done in Ayr East and I wish to get on with it."

Councillor McDowall now leads a Labour rump of just six, out of 30 councillors.