Cllr David Kendall cleared of allegations

10.05.00pm GMT Wed 7th Jan 2009

Cllr David Kendall has been cleared by an independent investigation into a Conservative councillor's accusation

Following newspaper coverage today regarding Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr David Kendall facing a Standards Board investigation, Brentwood & Ongar Liberal Democrats are pleased to report that he has been cleared of all the charges levelled against him by a Conservative councillor.

The investigation into an incident was carried out by a senior officer from Rochford Council.

Cllr Kendall had been accused of showing disrespectful conduct and behaviour towards the Chairman of the Highways Panel during a conversation they had following a Highways Panel meeting in September, although the complaint was only made a month later.

Cllr Kendall was also accused of bringing his office or the authority into disrepute.

The investigating officer's key findings were that Cllr Kendall HAD NOT breached ANY codes of conduct during his conversation with Conservative councillor Louise McKinlay and was subsequently cleared of any charges made against him.

The investigator's report now needs to be considered by the members of Brentwood's Borough Council's Standards Committee. Cllr Kendall said:

"I am very pleased that the independent investigation has cleared me of any wrong doing.

"I am now able to do what I was elected to do - represent the residents of Pilgrims Hatch and hold this Conservative administration running Brentwood to account".