This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/devon/6590963.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Councillor denies Napoli theft | Councillor denies Napoli theft |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| A Devon councillor has temporarily stepped down from the police authority amid an investigation into allegations of theft from the MSC Napoli. | A Devon councillor has temporarily stepped down from the police authority amid an investigation into allegations of theft from the MSC Napoli. |
| Stuart Hughes, a county and district councillor in Sidmouth, was quizzed by police about thefts of goods from the stricken container ship in Lyme Bay. | Stuart Hughes, a county and district councillor in Sidmouth, was quizzed by police about thefts of goods from the stricken container ship in Lyme Bay. |
| He has strenuously denied any allegation of wrong doing. | He has strenuously denied any allegation of wrong doing. |
| Mr Hughes, 55, said he had answered questions voluntarily and would await a decision by police. | |
| Candidates 'unaware' | Candidates 'unaware' |
| He said in a statement: "Pending the outcome of the police enquiries I have voluntarily taken a break from my position on the police authority and will not be drawing expenses." | He said in a statement: "Pending the outcome of the police enquiries I have voluntarily taken a break from my position on the police authority and will not be drawing expenses." |
| He added the allegation was unfounded and he did not have any stolen property. | He added the allegation was unfounded and he did not have any stolen property. |
| Mr Hughes is a councillor at Devon County Council and East Devon District Council. | Mr Hughes is a councillor at Devon County Council and East Devon District Council. |
| He is standing as a Conservative candidate in the forthcoming local council elections in Sidmouth and has claimed the allegation amounted to a dirty tricks campaign against him. | He is standing as a Conservative candidate in the forthcoming local council elections in Sidmouth and has claimed the allegation amounted to a dirty tricks campaign against him. |
| Sidford ward's candidates have not commented on the issue | Sidford ward's candidates have not commented on the issue |
| Other candidates standing in the Sidford Ward are independents Jack Brokenshire and Chris Whale and fellow Conservative candidates Christine Drew and Graham Troman. | Other candidates standing in the Sidford Ward are independents Jack Brokenshire and Chris Whale and fellow Conservative candidates Christine Drew and Graham Troman. |
| They told BBC News they were not aware of the allegations and could not comment on them. | They told BBC News they were not aware of the allegations and could not comment on them. |
| The MSC Napoli was deliberately grounded in Lyme Bay off Branscombe beach in January after suffering hull damage in a storm during which her 26 crew were rescued. | The MSC Napoli was deliberately grounded in Lyme Bay off Branscombe beach in January after suffering hull damage in a storm during which her 26 crew were rescued. |
| More than 100 of the ships 2,000 containers went overboard and 58 were washed ashore, sparking a scavenging spree in which items including motorcycles, barrels of wine, nappies and cosmetics were taken. | More than 100 of the ships 2,000 containers went overboard and 58 were washed ashore, sparking a scavenging spree in which items including motorcycles, barrels of wine, nappies and cosmetics were taken. |
| The Receiver of Wreck, Sophia Exelby, said about 1,400 items had been reported. | The Receiver of Wreck, Sophia Exelby, said about 1,400 items had been reported. |
| People failing to report goods were told they could face a fine of up to £2,500 and having to pay the owner twice the value of the item. | People failing to report goods were told they could face a fine of up to £2,500 and having to pay the owner twice the value of the item. |