A Conservative political adviser at the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has been forced to resign, after a taped phone conversation was posted on the internet, alleging that he was conspiring to oust the council’s deputy leader Alison Knight.
André Walker, a former high-flying Conservative student, who has previously worked for London Councils, and Westminster and Hammersmith & Fulham councils, was recorded and photographed on a phone by another passenger on Tuesday night, travelling travelling back from Waterloo station.
The Slough & Langley Observer has the story:
A statement from the Royal Borough said: “Effective from this morning (Friday 5 March 2010) Mr André Walker has tendered his resignation from his position in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. This has been accepted and he is no longer employed by the council. The Royal Borough will not be making any further comment.”
Mr Walker said: “I went into work today (Friday) as usual. My position was untenable and I resigned. I was on the train on Tuesday night, I made some comments I shouldn’t have, I was incredibly unlucky to sit next to a left wing activist who decided to record me.
“I put the council in a difficult position, I have apologised for that. A conversation I had was overheard, I said the wrong thing, I have apologised. That apology has gone to various people in the group including Alison Knight. I resigned because that was the appropriate thing to do. I haven’t spoken to Alison Knight.
“I think I have been pretty reasonable. I owned up to a mistake I have made. It’s pretty hurtful for me to hear all these allegations.”
Listen to the conversation below or view a transcript on You Tube.
Follow @LibDemVoice on Twitter
Like us on Facebook
Subscribe to our feed
Sign-up for our daily email digest
Lib Dems set to name 7 new peers for House of Lords, says Sunday Times
Kingston Lib Dems' council leader Derek Osbourne arrested on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children
Congratulations to Sir Andrew, Alison, Flick, Kirsty and Sir Menzies
How not to write for Liberal Democrat Voice
“Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) rose. Hon. Members: Oh, no.” Yes, folks: this is our Parliament.
Opinion: Creating a new Alliance
Michael Moore MP writes…Scotland has a role in overseas aid
A picture postcard from a Liberal Democrat in Gezi Park
The Morrissey Report: We must take chance to be a more effective, respectful team
Starter Packs Dundee AGM
Bed Blocking Crisis is getting worse
HCC lighting fiasco
England My England, Bulgarian Style
Universal Credit - some observations on policy and politics
'At least' two years until Launceston medical centre is upgraded
The Beach Boys On CD: Youngblood
Campaigning on Jobs and Apprenticeships
In loco parentis
peter.tyzack
Andrew Wiseman
Eddie Sammon
Jennie