'Durlstongate' disgrace for shamed Purbeck District Councillors

12.06.31pm GMT Thu 11th Nov 2004

The Tory leadership of Purbeck District Council tried to suppress the report of a panel that was set up to review matters relating to the landslip at Durlston Bay in December 2000.

The report of the panel was before the Council on 12th.October,

having been withdrawn previously. The panel of Councillors (two Conservatives, one Liberal Democrat and one Independent) criticised four Conservative members of the Council.

One,Mrs.Julie Wheeldon, is to be referred to the Standards Board of England for alleged inappropriate "Behaviour contrary to the Code of Conduct for people in public life."

If that was not enough, the functioning of the Council is also criticised over the matter.The report raises alarming points about incompetence, internal squabbling, self serving behaviour etc. Surely the conclusion that people will reach is one of no confidence in the management of the Council.

Resignations would be appropriate.