Flowers ‘spared embarrassment’ after quitting council

BRADFORD’S council leader did not reveal the true reason why former Co-op Bank chairman Paul Flowers resigned from the authority to spare him “personal embarrassment” after inappropriate adult material was found on his computer, it has emerged.
Paul Flowers.Paul Flowers.
Paul Flowers.

Flowers, who faces a criminal investigation over claims he was involved in the supply of illegal drugs, cited work and family pressures when he quit as a Labour councillor and cabinet member in September 2011.

It was revealed last month that the Methodist minister stepped down after “inappropriate but not illegal” adult material was found on his council computer when he handed it in for repair.

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The authority’s leader, Coun David Green, last night posted a report on his website with details of his investigation into why the real reason for the resignation was not revealed by his predecessor Ian Greenwood.

Mr Green wrote: “There has been some concern expressed both by individuals and in the media that the reasons given for Rev Flowers’ resignation were not fully explained to the public and were somehow ‘covered up’.

He added: “Given that no law had been broken, and there had been no formal inquiry to establish the circumstances, the decision to cite work and family pressures as the reasons for the resignation was based on human grounds intended to spare Rev Flowers any personal embarrassment.”

He said there was no suggestion Flowers had broken the law but said there was “compelling evidence to suggest that both the code of conduct for councillors and the internal ICT policy had been breached”.

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He added that the council held “very few records” concerning the events.

Former Respect councillors Alyas Karmani and Mohammed Shabbir, who now sit as independents, have tabled a motion to be put to a meeting of Bradford council next Tuesday.

Both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats on the authority have already called for a public inquiry into the decision not to reveal the real reason why Mr Flowers quit. The motion also asks for clarity on the role played by Mr Greenwood.

West Yorkshire Police is investigating Flowers, 63, over alleged drug offences. His home in Great Horton, Bradford was raided last month and he has been arrested and bailed.

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