A Comedy of Errors

The independent inquiry by Mr Terence Sullivan described the procedure used to sack Mr Christley, who won more than £29,000 at an industrial tribunal, as a "comedy of errors."

It claims the initial investigation against Christley was not fair or impartial, that it was a "prosecution" rather than a balanced presentation of the facts and that it was wrong to release his name to the press.

Mr Sullivan said he found no evidence of misconduct by officers involved in the case or evidence to suggest that there was a general conspiracy to dismiss Mr Christley.

He concludes: "If there are any allegations to be made it is possible that they relate to capability rather than misconduct. "However, the city council has never issued guidelines on how a disciplinary case is to be investigated and therefore no training or formal support has ever been given.

"This would detract from any attempt to demonstrate incapability on the part of any officer."

Despite the fact that the report supports the employment tribunal finding that Mr Christley was denied "natural justice" some councillors still stand by the decision.

David Christley reserved a full response to the report but did comment: "It appears to me that the best the council can take from this is that it revealed a shocking lack of competence in dealing with this matter and that they carried on regardless even though my union representative wrote to the council's senior officer at the time warning him that the correct procedures were not being complied with."

Mr Christley, who is currently seeking damages from former council leader Stanley Henig, for alleged defamatory statements issued in a press release, confirmed that the report has now been passed to his solicitor.

If any reader would like to view the full report -- which was declared an exempt item by officers and councillors -- they should contact our news office.