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Secret Lib Dem quits her post
Magistrate on independent Town Hall watchdog goes
A MAGISTRATE who sits on the Town Hall’s independent standards watchdog has quit her post after it was revealed she is a secret member of the Lib Dems.
The Tribune can reveal that Jo Michie, who has been a key member of the Standards Committee for about six years, stood down last Wednesday.
The committee, chaired by Father Jim Kennedy, upholds decency and probity in public life, ensuring councillors keep to a code of conduct. Members are expected to declare any politicial affiliation and not be active if they belong to a political party.
It is understood that Mrs Michie, from Whitehall Park, Archway, was seen going into a selection meeting for the Lib Dem’s 2010 General Election candidate.
She was unavailable for comment last night (Thursday) despite repeated attempts by the Tribune to contact her.
High-ranking Lib Dems yesterday (Thursday) said she had only been a party member for a few months.
According to a Town Hall source, members of the Standards Committee have to make declarations naming their interest and Mrs Michie never mentioned she was a member of a political party.
The source said when this was put to her she decided to stand down immediately instead of “dragging it all out.”
Those sitting on the Standards Committee are allowed to be members of a political party although they cannot be active campaigners.
Mrs Michie was one of the board’s first appointments when it was established.
The local committee did not investigate allegations of “cronyism” against five Islington Liberal Democrat councillors, including ex-Town Hall boss Steve Hitchins.
The three-year case was dealt with by its national parent body, the Standards Board for England.
Mrs Michie did, however, vote in favour of paying the councillors’ £500,000 legal bill from Town Hall funds.
The committee’s other members are Eric Sorensen, chairman of Thames Gateway Partnerships, Lib Dem deputy leader Terry Stacy and Labour chief whip Richard Watts.
The Standards Committee is chaired by Father Jim, of Blessed Sacrament Church, who was unavailable for comment yesterday (Thursday).
Mrs Michie’s photograph is still on Islington’s website although all of her biographical details have been removed.
The Tribune understands that she stood down quietly rather than stay and fight any possible investigation.
Councillor Stacy said: “(Mrs Michie) only joined the party towards the end of last year and missed the cut-off date for declaring (party membership) by a few days.”
He added that it had “always been her intention” to declare her membership.
Councillor Watts said: “It is vital that everyone in the borough, of all parties and none, has confidence in the impartiality of independent members of the Standards Committee, and so we’re pleased that this matter was sorted out with dignity.
“The Labour Group has the highest regard for the impartiality of Father Jim Kennedy, chair of the Standards Committee, and we are sure that under his leadership the work of the Committee can move on from this unfortunate incident.”
A Town Hall spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that Jo Michie resigned from the council’s Standards Committee and we want to thank her for all the work she has done over the last few years.”
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