The bitter row between the chief executive of Hillingdon LBC and the council's leader has taken a new twist, after it emerged London's top council leader said the borough's chief ‘should go', if ‘the council was to move forward'. The Audit Commission had been forced to deny it was behind the remark after Hillingdon leader, Ray Puddifoot, allegedly claimed it had passed the judgement on chief executive, Dorian Leatham, in an official CPA inspection. But commission chief executive, Steve Bundred wrote to Cllr Puddifoot after Mr Leatham queried the alleged remarks. The leader allegedly claimed the CPA named Mr Leatham as a ‘key weak component' holding the council back. Mr Bundred insisted the inspection made ‘no negative references to managerial leadership'. But he said the CPA team leader, Claire Bryce-Smith, had said ‘a comment along these lines' was made by fellow team member Cllr Merrick Cockell, Kensington & Chelsea RLBC leader and London Councils chairman, during a meeting between the two leaders. The letter continues: ‘Ms Bryce-Smith has advised that Cllr Cockell put forward his personal view that if the council was to move forward, the chief executive should go. ‘It was a leader-to-leader comment that, while no doubt expressing Cllr Cockell's view, based on his experience, judgement and observation of Hillingdon Council, was not the view of the whole team. ‘It therefore cannot be said to be the view of the Audit Commission ' Cllr Puddifoot told The MJ: ‘I have received a letter from the Audit Commission which has been misinformed by Mr Leatham regarding something that I referred to in the CPA report. I have written back clarifying the situation. I will provide any further information at the correct time.' Cllr Cockell refused to comment on the CPA inspection, saying the process should remain confidential. ‘The Audit Commission did not discuss Steve Bundred's letter before sending it, and a meeting regarding this has been arranged for next week,' he said. The dispute between Mr Leatham and Cllr Puddifoot erupted when the leader announced Mr Leatham's departure from the council while he was on holiday. On his return, Mr Leatham called in the lawyers. Last month, the rift deepened, when the High Court ruled the council could continue the disciplinary process, which could lead to Mr Leatham's suspension. A council spokesman said its investigating and disciplinary committee had met and decided there was a case to answer. An independent person will now be appointed to carry out a full investigation.
