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Standards body clears top Tory over complaint
A ROCHFORD district councillor has written off a complaint made against him to the Government's standards watchdog as "absolute nonsense".
Senior Tory councillor Keith Gordon's comments came after the Standards Board for England threw out out the complaint on the grounds of insufficient evidence.
Mr Gordon, who is seeking re-election in the Rochford ward in May, had been accused of failing to declare a personal interest in planning applications involving a company for whom he worked as a project manager.
Mr Gordon was also accused of failing to declare a holiday paid for by a friend who was involved with the Fewings Services scrapyard in Canewdon.
The yard, run by Dean Fewings, has been the subject of a long-running planning dispute with the council.
In her official decision letter, Kathy Farrand, head of referrals at the standards board, said it was considered there was insufficient evidence provided to make a decision on the matters that had been complained about.
She added: "Unless further information is provided, we shall take no further action on the allegation."
Mr Gordon said: "I really think this is all a load of nonsense and I don't want to really comment about it.
"I had dealings with Fewings Services when I was a building inspector, but I have not had any connection with anyone there for years.
"It was before I became a member of the council."
5:19am Thursday 27th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: evilc, essex on 6:36am Thu 27 Mar 08
What is that smell?
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