Council Leader orders investigation into smear leaflet

Date published: 08/03/2007

Council Leader Alan Taylor has ordered an investigation into how a "smear leaflet’ came to be distributed to all Councillors at Tax Payer’s expense.  The leaflet about Castleton Library has been condemned by a leading Council Officer as "misleading and factually incorrect" and Council Taylor says smears the work of Castleton Councillors Pat and Ted Flynn and Peter Davison.  

Councillor Taylor added: "I want no stone unturned in this investigation, the three Councillors in question have served our town for nearly 50 years combined.  It was bad enough that this was an anonymous leaflet delivered to thousands of homes in Castleton.  To now attempt to darken their names amongst elected members is an utter disgrace.  Councillors have pigeon holes in the Town Hall, the leaflet was put out in brown envelopes, similar to ones that Councillors receive to carry out their jobs.  I want to find out which Council Officers received these envelopes.  I am not blaming them, they acted in good faith; what I will not tolerate as leader of this Council is a Councillor or any of their associates abusing this system or Council Officers.  I have no doubt that is what has happened in this case.  Each week Councillors receive their post from the Town Hall, this means that tax payers money was used to distribute this abuse.  If we find out who is to blame for this, I will be calling for their resignation, it is that serious!"

Councillor Taylor has praised the success of the new Castleton Library saying: "The new, improved service is proving increasingly popular in Castleton.  I understand from Ted Flynn that additional events like coffee mornings are also hugely popular.  All three Castleton councillors are well respected amongst council members - maybe apart from those Labour Councillors spotted delivering the misleading document.  They have still not apologised for this and carried on delivering it despite a leading Council Officer admitting that it was wrong; they should be ashamed for smearing nearly 50 years of active service in our Town."