Walsall MBC has been slammed by MP David Winnick for treating a whistle-blower in a ‘shabby and unacceptable way'. Speaking during a House of Commons debate last week, the Walsall North MP said Peter Francis ‘has suffered – and continues to suffer – much ill health and much anxiety' after reporting his bosses for misusing public money. Mr Francis reached a settlement with the council last year after an employment tribunal found he had been unfairly dismissed. Mr Winnick told Parliament there had been two reports into Mr Francis's case, neither of which would be published until after today's (Thursday) local elections. One report is by the district auditor and the other is an independent report commissioned by the council itself. ‘That is amazing, is it not?' said Mr Winnick. ‘We are talking about annual elections and there are arguments for and against them, but one of the main arguments in favour of them is that the electorate can make its decision accordingly. ‘One factor is undoubtedly the performance of the council involved.' Speaking to The MJ, Mr Francis said: ‘It must be a concern that the lack of openness by Walsall MBC and its reluctance to deal with issues of accountability has to be raised in parliament.' Walsall's interim chief executive, Dave Martin, said it would not be appropriate to comment on the district auditors' report and added: ‘Walsall Council has commissioned an independent report, which is designed to be complimentary to the district auditor's investigation. ‘Legal advice is that these two reports, which offer different perspectives on the same issue, should be released at the same time. The council fully intends to follow this advice.'
