Refusal to state why top earner retired

Council chiefs in Sandwell have closed ranks around one of its former highest earners and refused to say why he retired while suspended from duty.

A request under Freedom of Information legislation submitted to Sandwell Council asked why Steven Gregory, the former executive director of urban regeneration, was suspended from his post and then retired aged just 50.

But the council said the request would breach Mr Gregory's privacy, even though he is understood to have left the country to pursue projects overseas.

Mr Gregory left in November last year and has only just been replaced in the £100,000 a year role by Jan Britton.

Mr Gregory left after more than two decades with the council. As executive director of urban regeneration, he oversaw redevelopment schemes including the ongoing £500 million revamp of West Bromwich town centre.

The Express & Star submitted the request under Freedom of Information laws asking why Mr Gregory was suspended and the value of his pension.

But Freedom of information officer Nigel Parr said: "This information is exempt under the Freedom of Information Act and disclosure would breach the provisions of the Data Protection Act."