Islington 'cronyism' case finally reaches the public

Huge fun over the new three weeks for observers of the soap opera that is the Islington Lib Dems. Cronyism allegations against Islington leader Lib Dem Steve Hitchins (St Peters) and four other Islington Lib Dems finally reached the Adjudication Panel for decision last week.

The allegations state that the Lib Dems improperly appointed political mate Helen Bailey as Islington’s Chief Executive … but were first referred for investigation as long as three years ago. Hitchins and Bailey were both members of the Lib Dem ‘Federal Executive’ … and yet Hitchins seemed to forget to declare this to the shortlisting meeting. Instead he and the others allegedly overruled recruitment consultants Veredus … and put Bailey on her the shortlist, even though Veredus said she was “not recommended for further consideration, due to her lack of experience”.

The biggest laughs at the first week of hearings were probably reserved for the lawyers’ accountants ... Bailey, Hitchins and co, and the Standards Board are all represented by separate barristers. The taxpayers are paying for the Standards Board to use Antony White QC, who doesn't come cheap ... his previous clients include Naomi Campbell and (appropriately for Islington politics) Monty Python pictures. White is a member of Cherie Blair's Matrix Chambers ... and indeed represented her in a privacy case against Associated Newspapers.

At the hearing, defecting Cllr Joan Coupland (she suddently became a principled Labourite just after her mayoral year finished) delivered some vintage bile at Hitchins … “If you challenge his view he can get quite nasty, and he is manipulative and a bully. He answers all questions with a question.” The bunteresque Hitchins has a reputation that gives arrogant sods a bad name … but even his worst enemies (a long queue) think a three year delay is a pretty hopeless performance by the Standards Board.

Also in the frame is Deputy Leader Bridget Fox (Barnsbury) … who narrowly lost the Islington South parliamentary seat in May … and is widely seen as the nice cop to Hitchins’ nasty cop. The other Lib Dems are former Mayor Margot Dunn (Holloway) who chaired the Shortlisting Panel … and Cllrs Jyoti Vaja (Bunhill) and Dorrie Valery (Caledonian), who were added to the Panel to give the Lib Dems a 5:1 majority.

The result isn’t expected until at least mid October.