Garry Shewan – Neil Wilby Media

Council finally owns up to deceiving local politician

The chief executive has all but gone, but deep rooted problems still persist in the higher echelons of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, writes Neil Wilby. Highlighted again this week by an admission that they cheated when responding to a freedom of information request made by a local politician and fierce critic of that same administration.Continue reading “Council finally owns up to deceiving local politician”

Council say ‘conflicted’ Director will not stand down from police investigation.

Following exclusive revelations on this website last week, regarding family connections from which conflicts of interest may arise, an Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council spokeswoman has said that Strategic Director, Communities and Reform, Rebekah Sutcliffe, will not be standing down from a controversial Greater Manchester Police investigation, codenamed Operation Hexagon. After details of the alleged conflictsContinue reading “Council say ‘conflicted’ Director will not stand down from police investigation.”

Bailey can’t bridge the credibility gap

In July 2019, after serving for over 27 years with a backwater county police force, Nicholas Bailey took the short, but well worn path, from Cheshire Constabulary to its metropolitan neighbour, Greater Manchester Police, the fourth largest force in the country. He followed in the footsteps of past chief constable Peter Fahy; the present incumbentContinue reading “Bailey can’t bridge the credibility gap”

Lamp fails to light the way

Seven years ago today, The Times newspaper informed its readers that Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary had appointed Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to investigate corruption allegations involving a neighbouring force (read the article in full here). The notorious West Yorkshire Police (WYP), whose miscarriage of justice history stretches back almost 50 years, are accused of aContinue reading “Lamp fails to light the way”

Cost of GMP’s disastrous IS Transformation Programme rises to £80 million

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is the UK’s fifth largest police force, with over 7,000 officers, and around 3,000 civilian staff, whose mission is to ensure the safety and security of a diverse local population of over 2.5 million people, spread over 11 Divisions (plus 6 City of Manchester sub-divisions), 10 specialist units and covering anContinue reading “Cost of GMP’s disastrous IS Transformation Programme rises to £80 million”

Barton beats an unexpected retreat

Earlier this week Durham Constabulary announced the retirement of its chief constable, Mike Barton, both on social media and via a press release issued to local, regional and national media. The story attracted little attention, given the controversial figure he has frequently cut.But this announcement took many people by surprise, not least policing colleagues whomContinue reading “Barton beats an unexpected retreat”

Protected: Crompton and Jones: Two of a kind?

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Operation Lamp: A Major corruption scandal

‘This report will blow West Yorkshire Police apart’. Sounds melodramatic, but these are the words to me of a well placed insider about an investigation into the fit-up of an up-and-coming young police officer, by his Leeds Bridewell colleagues, twelve years ago. That bombshell revelation also fits into my own sphere of knowledge. Which isContinue reading “Operation Lamp: A Major corruption scandal”