As an investigative journalist, an essential requirement is to develop a thick skin and the ability shrug off both criticism and resistance to what is being probed, writes Neil Wilby. Particularly, from subjects of those enquiries and their circle of friends and associates who may feel threatened by what may, potentially, be exposed. This can,Continue reading “Journalism is not a popularity contest – but this abuse is absolutely off the scale”
Tag Archives: Mark Wilkinson
‘Public nuisance’ set to defy Council ASBI warning
News of the unedifying scenes of public disorder that marred the last two meetings of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council has, regrettably, spread far wider than the boundaries of the famous old East Lancashire mill town (read more here). The Council has, in line with a promise made by its new Leader, Cllr Amanda Chadderton (readContinue reading “‘Public nuisance’ set to defy Council ASBI warning”
‘Renegades’ face humiliation over quest for public inquiry
Four ‘renegade’ Oldham Metropolitan Borough councillors, Bethany Sharp (representing St James ward), Dave Arnott (Royton North), Lewis Quigg (Royton North) and Robert Barnes (Chadderton South) say they have written a joint letter to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Priti Patel, urging her to consider instituting an independent public inquiry into child sexualContinue reading “‘Renegades’ face humiliation over quest for public inquiry”
Will democracy trump disorder?
Following disgraceful scenes of public disorder at an Extraordinary Meeting of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council on 27th June, 2022 more disruption is expected at a Full Council meeting scheduled for 13th July, 2022. Noisy and disruptive protests over a failed ‘Assurance Review’ into child sexual exploitation failings in the Borough, during the period 2006 toContinue reading “Will democracy trump disorder?”
New Council Leader faces baptism of fire
Having safely negotiated a softball first appearance as the new Council Leader on May 25th, 2022 with the Mayor-making and Annual General Meeting, Cllr Amanda Chadderton faces a very different test early next week, writes Neil Wilby. In the wake of the controversial Oldham Child Sexual Exploitation Review, published two days ago by the GreaterContinue reading “New Council Leader faces baptism of fire”
Beleaguered Council ducks away from latest safeguarding gaffe
In a month that is likely to prove very difficult for Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council its senior officers and political leadership has decided that shooting themselves in the foot, once again, is a suitable form of preparation. Before the end of June, and possibly as early as next Monday (20th), the long-awaited Oldham CSE AssuranceContinue reading “Beleaguered Council ducks away from latest safeguarding gaffe”
Notorious burglar shamed by financial regulator
Due to the vigilance of a whistleblower, codenamed ‘SM’ (mentioned here to acknowledge his/her contribution) it has been drawn to the attention of the author of this article, Neil Wilby, that Oldham’s most notorious and prolific convicted burglar, Garry Dunkerley, has, potentially, landed himself in more hot water this week: On 27th May, 2022, theContinue reading “Notorious burglar shamed by financial regulator”
Labour slams Oldham Tories over ‘peddling mistruths’ in dirty election campaign
Following the defeat of Council Leader, Arooj Shah, in the local elections in Oldham Metropolitan Borough at the beginning of this month (read more here), she described the campaign as ‘dehumanising’ and spoke of the distress it had brought to her and her family: “I fought a really positive campaign, I believe in positivity, andContinue reading “Labour slams Oldham Tories over ‘peddling mistruths’ in dirty election campaign”
Mystery illness belatedly given as reason for councillor’s poor attendance record
Disgraced hyper-locals, the Failsworth Independent Party (FIP), recently named by HopeNotHate as a haven for the far right in their town (read report here), have belatedly claimed that serious illness has prevented one of their three elected councillors from fulfilling his duties. Since they were formed in 2019, scandal and disgrace has never been veryContinue reading “Mystery illness belatedly given as reason for councillor’s poor attendance record”
Will hate campaign claim second local council Leader?
With the countdown to the local elections in May, 2022 now well under way, the biggest question in the Greater Manchester Region, and possibly the whole of the North West, is will Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council be saying ‘goodbye’ to its Leader, Cllr Arooj Shah, who is up for re-election in the Chadderton South ward,Continue reading “Will hate campaign claim second local council Leader?”
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