Tory, Lib Dem councillors call for Sefton deputy leader’s resignation

Councillors from Southport’s Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors have called for the resignation of Sefton’s Deputy Leader John Fairclough.

Labour’s Cllr Fairclough failed to disclose the ownership of properties held through Fairclough Properties Ltd, a company he runs with his son.

Conservative Group Leader Cllr Mike Prendergast and Liberal Democrat Cllr Gareth Lloyd-Johnson have both called for Cllr Fairclough to resign from his position.

Following an initial complaint in May from independent candidate John Rice, the matter was not subject to a full investigation, instead, Cllr Fairclough was referred to additional code of conduct training sessions.

Now Mr Rice has submitted a new complaint alleging premises owned by Fairclough Properties were not included on the member’s register of interests. The register has since been updated.

Cllr Mike Prendergast said: “Given the continuing revelations concerning the Deputy Leader’s property interests in Sefton, I am genuinely amazed that we have not had any form of public statement from him, or any of the Labour leadership in Sefton.

“Councillor Fairclough is an experienced councillor and, quite simply, he hasn’t followed the rules which are applicable to all councillors in Sefton. He has voted on matters concerning housing and landlords in Sefton without properly, declaring the fact that he is a landlord himself.

“I do not think it is tenable for the current Deputy Leader to remain in post. He should apologise and step down.

I think the members of the sub-committee, that recently met, also need to explain why they have only recommended additional training and no further sanctions.

“Why did they not suggest further investigations, the public have a right to know what is going on at the heart of their council and the failure of this sub-committee to carry out further investigations needs to be explained.

I’m fairly certain that if this was a Conservative councillor subject to these kind of allegations, then the Labour leadership would be a lot more vocal.”

Cllr Gareth Lloyd-Johnson said, “The arrogance involved here is staggering, It’s as if the rules simply don’t apply to those a tthe top of Sefton’s Labour Party.”

“We all forget things, our keys maybe or a phone number, not that we’re the director of a property company.”

“This conduct falls way below acceptable standards. We are elected by the public and they should rightly expect us to act honestly and with integrity. Cllr. Fairclough has shown no interest in doing so.”

“If integrity means anything to the leadership of the Council, he should resign.”