Disgust over Sandwell councillor's no-show at crunch meeting

Ian Jones only informed Sandwell Council's audit committee at the last minute he would not appear to discuss his role in the Gowling Report – which investigated alleged code of conduct breaches.

In a solicitor's letter Labour Councillor Jones informed the committee he refused to face 'an ambush of questions...or become a scapegoat' for his actions – also suggesting the committee's probe was 'politically motivated'. Committee members were less than impressed – with one saying Councillor Jones had 'a moral obligation' to attend and another 'disgusted' by his absence.

The audit committee was due to grill Councillor Jones over the council's underpriced sale of three public toilets, when he was a cabinet member.

Councillor Liam Preece said: "I'm extremely disappointed that Councillor Jones has not attended. I think it's important he does, he should have to attend to answer questions that are relevant to roles he held, and the people of Sandwell frankly deserve to hear him answer these questions in a public forum.

"It's Councillor Jones' moral obligation to attend this committee."

Mr Jones' solicitor's letter said: "Our client wishes to assist the audit committee in its remit, but is not prepared to do so under conditions where he is the only person subject to questioning in this way...

"He is most concerned about not putting himself in a position where through an ambush of questions he becomes a scapegoat in a dispute with an increasingly political agenda."

The Wragge report concluded Councillor Jones had no case to answer.

Fellow committee member Bob Piper said he was 'disgusted' by Councillor Jones' suggestion the committee was acting with political motivations.

Councillor Jones will appear in front of the committee at a future date to be confirmed.