7:00am Thursday 9th July 2009
By Sarah Calkin
AN OUTSPOKEN councillor facing disciplinary action over allegations he tried to influence planning decisions in favour of his developer friends claims he is the subject of a witch-hunt.
It is alleged Hadleigh Tory Bill Sharp, a freemason, failed to tell council officials of his friendships with multi-millionaire fellow mason Gordon Sanders and Susan King, a director of construction company Pemican.
Mr Sharp, a former chairman of the planning committee, attended meetings relating to planning applications from both developers back in 2007.
It was originally alleged by a council officer that he tried to influence council officers’ decisions.
A confidential report into the claims by the Standards Board for England, which investigates alleged wrongdoing by councillors, has been seen by the Echo.
See today's Echo for full details
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.echo-news.co.uk/trade_directory/