Council leak probe ‘to hunt whistleblowers’

Local authority hires external firm to look at conduct after controversies

AN embattled council embroiled in a wave of controversies has launched an investigation into leaks to the media.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has asked an external audit company to conduct an independent probe “to prevent this happening in the future”.

A former Commissioner for Public Appointments hit out at the investigation, accusing the local authority of “hunting down whistleblowers”.

The council has faced months of controversy including bullying allegations, senior staff absences and a police raid on its headquarters over claims of misconduct in public office.

A new interim chief executive has been drafted in at £1,060 per day as part of efforts to rebuild confidence in the workings of the local authority.

Councillors and staff have been invited to come forward and share evidence to support “concerns over the leaking of council information to the media”. The probe will also include examining the council’s “controls” over responses to requests made under Freedom of Information laws, according to papers seen by the Mirror.

Felicity Huston, former Commissioner for Public Appointments, raised concerns over the amount of time and council resources being used on the investigation. She said: “I’m sure the ratepayers of Mid and East Antrim would prefer their council to focus on sorting out the multitude of problems exposed in the media recently, rather than spend money hunting down whistleblowers.

“Reports and investigations can take a very long time as well as money. While this is going on what is actually being done to sort things out?” The council agreed to launch the investigation following a proposal in December by DUP councillor Gregg Mckeen, the party’s group leader on the local authority.

Staff have also raised “concerns over information being leaked”, the council said in a report.

The firm ASM is carrying out the review, which the council said can be conducted within an existing internal audit services contract.

It aims to “examine, record and evaluate the systems of internal control established by the council’s management and to make recommendations for improvement”.

This will include looking at the current policies and controls on “restricting the release of information” and providing “training” for staff and councillors on information sharing and the media.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has been approached for comment.

Reports and investigations can take a very long time as well as money