Moorlands District Council planning vote claim probed by police

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-34276969

Version 0 of 1.

Police are reviewing allegations the leader of a Staffordshire council's planning group abused his position.

Michael Worthington, chairman of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council's planning committee, was caught on camera saying he was "under instructions" to vote a certain way.

Police said it was reviewing an allegation of misfeasance in public office.

Mr Worthington denies being influenced to approve planning permission.

He said he "probably used the wrong terminology", when he implied he was under instruction to vote in a certain way.

"I said I 'hated doing that', because I felt bad going against officer recommendations," he explained.

"But I was given advice, not instructions, that I could go against if I felt it was right. I had advice from the leader of the council."

Last month, Mr Worthington voted to approve an application to build up to 10 new homes on the site of Endon Riding School, near Endon, even though officers had recommended it be refused. It was approved by seven votes to four.

He could be heard saying, "I hated doing that, but I was under instructions", at the meeting on 13 August.

Campaign group the Whiston Action Group passed their allegations to police and wrote to the prime minister calling for a public inquiry.

John Steele, of the group, said: "The current planning applications committee should be disbanded, and reformed with new members."

Staffordshire Police said: "We have received an allegation of 'Misfeasance in Public Office' and the matter has been passed to investigative services for them to review."

The council said its standards committee was also investigating, but said it would be inappropriate to comment further.