Apparently the "complex crime" I am said to have committed is the release of the infamous WhatsApp feed set up by Eling and Marshall. This followed my secret meeting with Eling and Marshall in the Windsor pub in Birmingham City Centre on 29th June, 2016. Just two days later I sent a report to two of The Skidder's "elite" supporters. Here it is with a couple of redactions. You will see that Eling initially created a fairly good impression on me but that I retained a healthy scepticism - with good cause as things turned out.... (Apologies for typos and minor errors but it is important that the original document is in the public domain.) It is noteworthy that we all agreed that I would give Eling the occasional kicking to throw his opponents off the scent. Funnily enough, the same word - "kicking" - was used by them in one of their early WhatsApp messages when they wanted me to attack a very senior employee, Melanie Dudley: "...there's going to be more leaks than Wales. Have you seen Halesowen News re Jones not being invited in, you can give Melanie a kicking for that if you wish."
Date: Fri, Jul 1, 2016 at 9:11 AM
Subject: Private & Confidential - Eling
To: [redacted - two individuals]
Apologies for delay but have been a bit out of sorts.
It is difficult to distil over three hours of conversation into this mail and not everything discussed was black and white but more nuanced. Thus I am setting out general "themes" as an indication of the main points of discussion. The meeting was VERY amicable (several pints consumed) and I think there is cause for cautious optimism but do not get the impression that I was not hard on "Steve" as, at times, I was brutally direct - notably about his piss-poor efforts at public speaking.
We got off to a bad start - with me and xxxx going to a pub in town and Steve and Richard Marshall going to a pub of the same name in Bearwood (!) but then had a lengthy meeting. Marshall is the chap who also spoke to Linda. He is an ex-Tory and has some business interests. He seems to have set himself up as Steve's minder and he is a man in a hurry wishing to "get things done. We need to be a bit careful with him until we know him better.
It is clear that Steve still faces considerable opposition in the Labour Group and the mood was that it if I could damage his opponents then that would not be unwelcome. There is still something going on with KPMG still about Wednesbury Celebrates but the Jones clan and faction need sorting out (xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx) Thus I will be revisiting that subject next week in the blog. Obviously Hussain and his supporters are on the radar already.
They are continuing with the big pays off for senior employees. Our wise old owl in Cardiff pointed to some of the difficulties for the new broom acting quickly and Steve made some valid points along the lines of the fact that these people were never called to account by the previous regime - and indeed lauded and promoted so that disciplinary measures become problematic and susceptible to legal challenge. Sharma is officially retiring (plus pay off) but has been kicked out & is on gardening leave whilst it is sorted out. It is absolutely clear that SE and RM have little time for Britton and his vast bulk is on creaking thin ice.
SE said that I was right about Cooper and Hussain's total daily grip on the operation save that I did not understand just how all pervasive it was. I said that was not really good enough for him to say this as he had been involved in many dodgy decisions AND was the STATUTORY deputy leader. It is fair to say that he has some insight into his shortcomings in that regard.
It does appear to be the case, alas, that the Hosell promotion was solely a cynical political move and SE tacitly acknowledged that. I pointed out to him that I may cause embarrassment to Hosell in the near future (I am verifying a good story). At least it shows he is not naive and is prepared to get down and get dirty when needs be in the murky world of SMBC but, again, that needs careful scrutiny going forward.
He doesn't want to micromanage Sandwell. He has been part-time at Rotherham (effectively 3 days a week) and intends to continue for the foreseeable. I said he needs to keep a careful eye on Britton and co if taking that approach as well as his political foes.
Plus points - yes. xxxx will be surprised - as was I - that he is quite left wing and very passionate about relief of poverty and other social issues. I urged him to address his public speaking etc to get that passion across to a wider audience. With his long career in local government he does have tremendous knowledge (really impressive) and reels off proper detail at the drop of a hat. I again cautioned him that he has been the architect of the CTB disaster so shouldn't be too cocky (although in true politician's style he is trying to shift the blame for that onto Kellas....) He clearly has a good brain - which is one up on his predecessor - and again unlike Cooper, a hinterland. As we were leaving I mentioned a mutual friend who, like SE, is a keen supporter of Warley Woods. SE is also a keen photographer. He kindly said that we will get together and discuss non-political stuff over a pint soon (and that can do no harm if away from prying eyes).
I have pointed out that it would not be good at this time to be seen talking to The Skidder. I will tone down attacks on him (you will note I dropped the usual epithets for him in the blog yesterday) but will give him the occasional kicking to keep the other side off the scent.
On balance, I was impressed though not blinded by him and if he can deliver more open administration and improvements to the Borough then he deserves our support. We shall see.
(Please don't tell xxxx you know about meeting. Let's keep this quiet until we can see the lie of the land.)
THE SANDWELL SKIDDER - COMMUNITY NEWS - READ THE SKIDDER. KIDDER!
Facebook: Julian Saunders Email: thesandwellskidder@gmail.com
PROUD TO HAVE BEEN TROLLED BY DICKHEAD DARREN COOPER DECEASED!
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