Blog:
http://thesandwellskidder.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/smbc-block-report-on-innocent-hackett.html
FOI:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/councillor_simon_hackett_smbc_in#outgoing-635693
In short, Hackett was investigated in respect of five principal allegations:
1 That Hackett disclosed confidential information concerning a minor at a political meeting;
2 He was caught urinating in a bus shelter by a Council warden;
3 He interfered in the withdrawal of a parking ticket issued to his wife;
4 He had bullied staff (no less than five staff members gave written statements to this effect); and
5 He interfered in a proposal that SMBC buy his mother's flat off her.
We are only concerned with allegation one here. It should be noted in passing that Jan Britton's bent paid service had a letter hand-delivered to me at home threatening me with an injunction if I wrote about all this.
The "Friar Park Flasher" is, of course, the politician in charge of Sandwell Labour Council's disastrous Children's Services department - which in the corrupt and incompetent Cooper/Britton era slumped down to an Ofsted "inadequate" rating where it remains. Hackett is also the Chair of the (West Bromwich) Albion Foundation (recipient of large sums of moolah from us taxpayers thanks to Sandwell Labour) which has important child safeguarding functions.
In February, 2016 Hackett received, in his official capacity, information which concerned the welfare of a child. He knew the information to be confidential and, indeed, the relevant papers were marked "IL2" - the Council's code meaning that it was "protected" information. So what did Hackett do? He immediately ran and told The Smethwick Scumbag - happily no longer the joke "Leader" of the Council - all about it. The Late Scumbag held a weekly political meeting and it just so happened that there was one due that morning. The thuggish Cooper was chairing the meeting and various other Labour Councillors were in attendance. Worryingly Sandwell's feeble "Chief Executive" Jan Britton also permitted a staff member, Jane Perham, to attend these political shindigs. Even though the other Councillors present had no right whatsoever to know the confidential information the matter was openly discussed. None of the senior Councillors present attempted to stop the discussion and indeed the confidential nature of the subject was tacitly acknowledged by the parties agreeing that the information should not be disclosed "outside this room".
As above, an investigation commenced into various aspects of Hackett's conduct. In respect of this allegation the investigators (Council employees who Jan Britton is refusing to name pursuant to the FOI request) took witness statements from employee Jane Perham and Cllrs Maria Crompton, Yvonne Davies, Paul Moore (who works for the odious Tom Watson) and Derek Rowley (no longer a Councillor and himself facing allegations relating to the sale of council property). They also interviewed Hackett in the presence of his solicitor. (Jan Britton is currently refusing to disclose those statements and the interview record pursuant to the FOI).
In August, 2016 - six months after the political meeting - the investigators produced their "Final Report". It is noteworthy that the "Final Report" report was issued by Pardip Sharma AFTER having heard representations from Hackett/his lawyers AND after taking written advice from an independent barrister. The report concluded that Hackett WAS guilty of breaching the Code of Conduct for elected "members" in respect of this serious breach of confidence. (Jan Britton is currently refusing to disclose this "final report" pursuant to the FOI).
But deeply corrupt Sandwell Labour couldn't let Tom Watson's puppet face the music and so the "independent" investigation was mysteriously re-opened. It must be remembered that The Smethwick Scumbag was now dead and that all that now happened was under new Leader, Steve Eling. New witness statements were taken months after the event - possibly from Eling himself and also, possibly, from Derek Rowley's very close personal friend, Cllr Sayeeda Khatun. Despite his claims that he was going to drain the swamp following the corruption under the Cooper/Britton regime Steve Eling is being coy about whether he gave a statement. He has only said that he gave a statement in respect of one of the allegations against Hackett. I have asked in the FOI for sight of the new statements but Jan Britton has refused this so far. (Of course, if Cllr Eling did give a statement in respect of this matter he could give his consent for its release and I invite him to do so!)
Lo and behold, in December, 2016 a new "final, final report" was issued and, of course, "Two Homes" was exonerated and duly trumpeted this to the local so-called "press". And, of course, Jan Britton is also refusing to disclose the "final, final report". You will see from the FOI response that Britton is working awfully hard NOT to show why Hackett is "innocent"!
As ever, it takes the intervention of an outside agency to shine a light on the murky goings on in the "socialist paradise". Britton's staff may have covered up the Code of Conduct issue but the same set of facts seemed to also constitute a clear breach of the Data Protection Act 1998. Indeed this was recognised by the investigators in the "final report" where they said the evidence DID suggest a data breach and that they had referred this aspect of the matter back to "the relevant Council Department". However, Jan Britton's staff then concluded, despite this finding, that there was NO breach of the Act! However, a complaint was made to the office of the Information Commissioner who has now decided, unsurprisingly, that there WAS a breach and they have written to Jan Britton's bent paid service to ensure that measures are put in place to prevent this happening again (difficult to see what "measures" would prevent Hackett from opening his big gob again if he perceives it is in his warped political interests!)
Hackett has to go. The Children's Services remain with an "inadequate" rating and he did disclose confidential information concerning a child twice - firstly to Dickhead Daz and then by allowing the matter to be discussed at a political meeting. He knew the information was confidential (he admits that himself) and so his position is untenable. Clearly the Albion Foundation will also need to consider his position.
Why did Britton allow a Council employee to attend a weekly political meeting? (The same employee, incidentally, Britton caused or permitted to send out Cooper's notorious letters to my wife's employers trying to get her sacked). Unfortunately Britton seems to have something "on" Steve Eling who will not sack him despite seven years of corruption, cronyism and incompetence whilst he has been at the helm of the good shit (surely "ship"? - Ed) "Sadwell".
Eling appears to be in this up to his neck. Come on Steve - if you are serious about your alleged anti-corruption drive tell Britton to answer the FOI in full and to make complete disclosure of the documents here. Then sack him without a pay-off......
THE SANDWELL SKIDDER - COMMUNITY NEWS - READ THE SKIDDER, KIDDER!
Confidential phone no: 07514 046661 Facebook: Julian Saunders
Email: thesandwellskidder@gmail.com
PROUD TO HAVE BEEN TROLLED BY DICKHEAD DARREN COOPER DECEASED!
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