Foreman Hits back at Northumberland County Council. Internal investigators were bannned from questioning the leader of Northumberland County Council

Foreman hits back at council
Jun 22 2007
By The Journal
A highways foreman sacked for misconduct claims he is simply a convenient scapegoat after it was revealed internal investigators were banned from questioning the leader of Northumberland County Council.

Nigel Riley was accused of helping a colleague moonlight as a driveway fitter. They had used a works van while delivering sand to then council leader Bill Brooks' home.
The pair did not know Coun Brooks was their boss and the former leader has never been accused of any involvement in the "embarrassing incident."
But the council refused their own staff permission to include Coun Brooks in their 250 hours of investigation.
At a tribunal hearing in Newcastle on Thursday Mr Riley said he must have been a mug for delivering the sand and claimed to have no memory of the day.

In closing arguments Robert Gibson, for Mr Riley, said: "The council's own actions prejudiced their own investigation."

He disagreed with the council's claim that Mr Riley had misled investigators and said the internal audit team was hindered from the moment they received photographs showing the foreman and a co-worker unloading the sand.
Mr Gibson: "They received an email on September 20 2005. Within days the chief executive had spoken to Mr Brooks about that matter.
"We do not know what was said but presumably Mr Brooks was made aware of the allegations.
"The cat was out of the bag. The audit team was given a restricted brief which said nothing more and nothing less than find the lorry in the picture and find the men in the picture.
"Now, it is as clear as the nose on your face that where you should start is with Coun Brooks."
On September 28 that year investigators were denied permission to interview Coun Brooks by officers on the executive team.

Mr Gibson added: "The local authority was responsible for the delay."
Within weeks of the investigators meeting Coun Brooks in January 2006 the council had enough evidence to start disciplinary hearings against the two men.
Joe Fletcher, who was hired to do the work by Mrs Brooks, admitted moonlighting and using council property.
Mr Riley says he was never told what the investigation was focusing on and was simply helping a friend on the way home form work.
The tribunal bench is expected to return a decision after July 17.