Rare investigation amid allegations about council officers

A rarely-convened committee is to investigate the robustness of Derby City Council's procedures.

Former chief executive Paul Simpson announced his departure in April, and in recent weeks some media outlets have published allegations about the behaviour of officers working for the authority.

In response, the council released a statement which described the content of the media reports as "inaccurate and misleading".

The Derby City Council Investigating and Disciplinary Committee, made up of sitting councillors, will scrutinise the authority's procedures alongside a separate review already under way over council processes, overseen by the interim chief executive Sam Dennis.

The council has not confirmed that the investigation relates to the circumstances surrounding Simpson's departure, but the BBC understands this is the case.

The council's rulebook states: "Where it appears that an issue has arisen which, if proven, could result in disciplinary action being taken against a Chief Executive, the matter will be referred to an Investigating and Disciplinary Committee... for consideration."

Simpson has been approached by the BBC on two separate occasions for comment but has declined to do so.

However, he has denied wrongdoing through solicitors elsewhere.

The city council said in a statement on Thursday: "Derby City Council is aware of recent media reports concerning matters involving current and former officers.

"While we are unable to comment on specific matters raised, the circumstances of individual officers, or the detail of particular claims while relevant enquiries are ongoing, we can confirm that these reports contain inaccurate and misleading information.

"We are treating this issue as a priority and are taking robust action, using our governance processes to identify whether any published information originates from, or is linked to, the council."

The authority also said it was "committed to maintaining high standards of conduct and public confidence."

The BBC approached Derby City Council requesting documents be released surrounding the nature of Simpson's resignation via Freedom of Information laws at the beginning of the summer. The council has not yet responded to this request.

Simpson announced his departure from the council in April and is currently interim executive director of corporate resources at East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

Councillors were told earlier this summer that two senior officers were no longer contactable and were not given a sense of when they would return. Both have been approached for comment.

The city council has denied that any officers have been suspended.

A Derby City Council source told the BBC: "The current chief executive is absolutely right to investigate this matter and act upon what she has found. That process has got to take its course.

"The people who are currently out of the business are going through the process. We're following the correct process."

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