Although Cllr Jim O’Shea was arrested last year, the news has only just come to light as the Wanstead and Woodford Guardian reports:
A SENIOR Tory councillor has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud.
Monkhams ward Cllr Jim O’Shea, Of Repton Park in Woodford Green, is currently on bail while police investigate the allegations.
The former deputy mayor and cabinet member for planning and regeneration declined to comment on the revelation, which only emerged after an anonymous letter arrived at the Guardian.
A well-placed source attributed the tip-off to infighting between high ranking members of the Conservative administration, which was sparked by the ousting of Tory leader Cllr Alan Weinberg after a vote of no confidence in March.
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A Week in Politics #8
Jana
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Matt (Bristol)
GWYN WILLIAMS
6 Comments
Conservative politicians are honest people, this is typical Labour smear
Sleaze should be purged regardless of party!
If he’s guilty – he should go to jail.
Kamard –
which universe are you living in (or is this irony…?!)
So the news story gaves the wrong impression of this councillor being arrested very recently. If this happened last year then (a) When did it happen? and (b) How was it kept quiet from the press until now?
As we are in April then presumably the police investigation has probably been concluded, so what is the current situation?
Thomas: have you clicked through to read the article I was quoting from? It made clear that the arrest was last year (I didn’t quote that bit, which is why I put it in my introductory sentence, but the paper’s story does make that clear) and also explains that the police investigation is continuing.
We should save any glee untill such time as there is a conviction. At present, the suspect has not even been charged, and being arrested by the police is not equivalent to being guilty, even if you a Tory politician-think e.g. of Damian Green…