The following is my response to two letters - from Jill Shortland and Roger Kershaw - both inviting me to County Hall to inspect the complete and unexpurgated SouthWest One contract. Since this letter was written there has been some slight movement.....but it amounts to a hairline crack -  not a significant breach in the wall of silence.

 

June 13^th 2008

Roger Kershaw,

Corporate Director – Resources

SomersetCountyCouncil

Dear Mr Kershaw,

Thank you for your e-mail and subsequent letter. I appreciate the offer to inspect the contract and business plan in full. I am happy to come to the Council offices in Taunton for this purpose.

Given the volume and complexity of the documents the inspection may take several days. I intend to bring a small team of experts to assist me – two forensic accountants from the Institute of Taxation, a business lawyer and Sir John Banham. Perhaps you would be good enough to confirm that all documentation connected with the contract will be made available – this must include material related to the process of selecting the final partner.

You have now sent me a copy of what you describe as the “publicly available business case” provided to MPs at your recent meeting. This document is about a year out of date and has sections blacked out.

I seek your absolute assurance that there will be nothing expunged or omitted from the documents you are now inviting me to inspect, and that there are no other pre-conditions.

Your letter encourages me to pass on any evidence of wrong-doing regarding SouthWest One to your External Auditor. I have already held two lengthy sessions with the District Auditor and handed over material. You suggest that I might prefer to pass on any evidence to you. This would be grossly inappropriate given that some of the exhibits in my possession directly concern you. I am also in contact with the Serious Fraud Office.

I await the response of your “Monitoring Officer” regarding my long-outstanding FOI request with interest. I have also received an invitation to inspect the contract from Cllr Jill Shortland and am copying this letter to her.

Yours faithfully

Ian Liddell-Grainger MP

 

 

 

I was able to see bits and pieces from the contract (very few real hard facts) when I accompanied ITV's team to County Hall on the first legal inspection date a fortnight ago. At this meeting Roger Kershaw promised that I could have the complete contract and all associated papers copied and sent to my Bridgwater Office. Despite reminders this has not happened. On June 30th a second-class mail A4 envelope was delivered which contained very little of interest related to the contract.

Like ITV I may resort to the courts if Mr K fails to keep his promises.