Sefton MBC is in turmoil at the top, after the sudden suspension of its deputy chief executive. Alan Moore was suspended last week by the council's chief executive, Graham Haywood, as an investigation into an allegation of misconduct began. At the same time, Conservative councillor and television presenter, Debi Jones, has been reported to the Standards Board for England over a matter said to be connected with the investigation. A council spokesman said, ‘An allegation of misconduct is being considered and, in accordance with the agreed procedures, the member of staff has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. ‘The suspension is a normal precautionary procedure in this situation, and there is a presumption of innocence until the matter has been investigated and considered by the council.' Relations between the chief executive and his deputy were reported to have become ‘fraught' in recent weeks. It follows the revelation that a planned offer of early retirement and redundancy for chief executive, Mr Haywood, part of senior management streamlining, was procedurally incorrect and must now be rescinded. Leader of the hung council, Cllr Tony Robertson (Lib Dem), said, ‘I don't know any great detail of the issues which need to be investigated. We are going to find somebody independent of the council to investigate them. ‘It will come back with a report, and I may have to sit in judgement, so I don't want to know any detail at this stage.' He added that any reported tensions between the chief executive and his deputy were not linked to this investigation, but could be connected to the flawed senior management review. He said: ‘The process has proved to be highly controversial. But, although these two things have happened at similar times, I don't think they are connected.'
