Author: IW Council Press Office
Undercliff Drive Scandal: John Lawson Gets The Boot
Wednesday, 31st October, 2007 at 12:26 pm, Isle of Wight
They’re dropping like flies. John Lawson, former Deputy Chief Executive, is the latest casualty in the costly investigation into the unlawful procurement of High-Point Rendel. He tried to resign last week, but the committee wouldn’t let him off that lightly. Here’s the latest news from the council press office. Ed
On Monday October 29, the IW Council’s Investigatory and Disciplinary Committee discussed an independent report into the role of John Lawson in the illegal procurement of Undercliff Drive contracts.
The report was compiled by Mr Stewart Dobson who was appointed as an independent representative with the agreement of Mr Lawson to hear the council’s allegations of misconduct against him.
His report followed a three-day disciplinary hearing in September where both Mr Lawson and the council were represented by barristers. In his report, Mr Dobson found that allegations of serious failings by Mr Lawson in relation to the Undercliff issue were substantiated and well founded.
Mr Dobson believed dismissal of Mr Lawson was a reasonable step given the serious nature of his failings.
The Investigatory and Disciplinary Committee agreed and therefore dismissed Mr Lawson. There will be no payment made to Mr Lawson other than his salary up until the date of his dismissal.
Mr Lawson had tendered his resignation on October 25 and did not attend the hearing. However the committee felt that the seriousness of Mr Lawson’s failings meant that resignation was not an appropriate outcome.
Mr Lawson has the opportunity to appeal against the decision to the Appeals Committee of the Council.
Cllr George Brown, Deputy Leader of the Council and Chairman of the IDC said: “The Committee found Mr Lawson’s conduct in relation to the Undercliff fell well below the standard the council and Island residents should expect from one of the authority’s most senior officers.”
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November 1st, 2007 at 12:26 pm
I worked for John Lawson. I found him to be a capable, intelligent, supportive and warm man. He was always first to the office, and often last to leave, and treated people of all levels fairly and with good humour.
It is common knowledge within the council that he is being made a scapegoat for this whole debacle. People here realise that once you’ve agreed to spend £900k on an “investigation” you have to get a result, someone has to pay somehow. At the time most of this was happening, John was doing his best to lead us all as acting Chief Executive, at the request of the same load of councillors that are now turning on him.
I feel ashamed to be part of an organization that can treat people this way. I hope council tax payers question why a million pounds plus has been spent on a witch-hunt that could have been resolved for a tenth of the cost. Crap management. Crap leadership. What a waste of a million quid. And what a shabby way to treat people who have worked so hard for us. Duckworth & Co you disgust me.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
If Mr lawson files and wins a claim for unfair dismissal against IOWC then I’ll believe Jane Doe