Town hall bosses have been accused of a “cover-up” after taking months to investigate a former mayor’s alleged improper conduct.
Brighton and Hove city councillor Anne Meadows has been suspended by the Labour Party due to a local authority investigation relating to her time as mayor.
The Argus understands it focuses on a set of £500 speakers gifted to her while performing official duties as the city’s civil figurehead during 2011/12.
Gifts to the mayor are usually raffled off for his or her charity of choice.
Last night Brighton and Hove City Council refused to comment, adding it was improper while an investigation was taking place.
However, political sources claimed the probe had been ongoing for months, adding there had been a “cover-up” to prevent damage to the council’s reputation.
Coun Meadows, who is the current deputy mayor, was not available for comment last night.
Persecution
However, after being suspended on Tuesday night, she told The Argus: “I have been judged, sentenced and found guilty without trial. I have been the victim of persecution and backstabbing.”
The Argus understands the issue revolves around an iPod docking system and speakers given to Coun Meadows by the Bang & Olufsen store in Church Road, Hove.
The Beolit 12 Sound Dock (pictured below) has a retail price of about £500.
A list of donations and gifts declared to the mayor’s office, released to The Argus under a Freedom of Information request, show it was registered.
However, sources have said the item was not received by the mayor’s office.
Denies wrongdoing
Coun Meadows, who has been a councillor for Moulsecoomb and Bevendean since 1994, denies any wrongdoing.
The investigation does not relate to any money raised when she was mayor.
A spokeswoman for Sussex Beacon, which oversaw the mayor’s accounts during 2011/12, said: “We have not been approached by the council to assist with enquiries.”
A Sussex Police spokeswoman said no allegation had been received by the force.
A Labour Party spokeswoman said: “The Labour Party views this as a serious matter and, in accordance with Labour Party rules, Coun Meadows is currently suspended from the Labour Party and from the Labour and Co-operative Group, pending the outcome of these investigations.”
Gifts for charity
A holiday to Italy, lunch with Albion boss Gus Poyet and electronic equipment worth £500 – all were donated to Mayor Meadows during her year in office.
A freedom of information request by The Argus has revealed the items given during her time as the city’s civil figurehead.
The items helped her raise about £20,000 for her charities, the Federation for Disabled People, Sussex Beacon and Rise.
Included on the list were:
- Brighton and Hove Albion football tickets.
- Bottle of Champagne.
- Barefoot Wines – wine tasting session.
- Discounted taxi fares for attendees to American Express Community Stadium.
- Family ticket for Royal Pavilion ice rink and family meal at Donatellos.
- Portuguese food hamper.
- Brighton Racecourse – annual ticket.
- Lunch with Albion manager Gus Poyet.
- Holiday in Stintino, Sicily.
- Thistle Hotel dinners and afternoon tea.
- Ipod docking system and speakers – Beolit 12 Sound Dock, worth about £500.
- Four family tickets to Sussex cricket matches.
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