The High Court judgement disqulaifying the erstwhile Chairman of Social Services is a public document. I have a copy. Neither Owl nor I have named him because his disqulaification expired this summer.
As to rumours about corruption in the planning department. These have been rife for years - but they are only rumours. It should be said, however, that a former senior officer of this Council, a judge, the retired head of the biggest firm of structural engineers in the country, a solictor, a surveyor, two architects and a property developer have all told me that they have been involved in planning applications where the action of the officer concerned could only have been accounted for if he had been bribed.
I believe the prime example is to be found at Ham Gate, where a palace has been created out of a manor house with more than fifty planning aplications accepted and none refused. (Although I did hear that an application for a helicopter pad had been turned down last year).
Again only rumours. But these rumours are persistent and a number have appeared in the press without being denied.
So I return to my statement. I have evidence for all but three of Owl's assertions. I have no reason to disbelieve those three.
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