Unmasking Corruption: The explosive truth behind Lewisham Council's malpractice scandal

In the intricate realm of local governance, transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct are sacrosanct. The public places its trust in councils, expecting their members to safeguard these principles while ensuring that public funds are utilised for the greater good. However, in the London Borough of Lewisham, a dark shadow has been cast over these expectations, raising unsettling questions: potential malpractice, financial irregularities, ethical standards, all within the council's corridors of power. TheBigRetort, exposé...

At the forefront of this probe into the London Borough of Lewisham Council lies a concern. It was one voiced by the Chair of the Standards Committee himself, Councillor Obajimi Adefiranye. "Jimi," aside from being one of the most dedicated councillors in Lewisham's history, rising to the chair of the council itself, was also a unique people's representative. He was at heart a listener, always striving to deliver on his promises during his lengthy and highly-regarded tenure. Prior to his retirement, through his long service, he supported countless residents in their daily challenges. Often stemming from Lewisham Council itself. 

"The welfare of the people is the highest law." 

While Lewisham's official image portrayed it as a consultative community-serving body, the reality on the ground was starkly different. Many residents felt that something mysterious, almost sinister, was occurring within the bowels of Lewisham Town Hall, despite the council's motto: "Salus Populi Suprema Lex."

However, during the pivotal meeting of the Standards Committee on March 14, 2022, Jeremy Chambers, the newly appointed Director of Law, Governance & Elections (Monitoring Officer), was introduced to the Committee by Councillor Adefiranye. This introduction occurred during a "virtual" meeting, where the minds and bodies representing the people of Lewisham convened remotely. However, as the saying goes, all that power is useless if attendees remain silent. In this seemingly routine introduction, Jeremy Chambers disclosed that he had been working for the Council since November 2021, before officially assuming his role in March 2022. He had roughly four months of insight into what transpired within Lewisham's corridors of power. What unfolded next was far from routine. 

Adefiranye’s Concern

"I do find that slightly odd, err, chair, if I’m honest." 

Councillor Adefiranye expressed deep concern over the fact that the Standards Committee had not convened for the past two years. This revelation added complexity to the unfolding narrative within Lewisham Council, emphasising the control its officers held over the borough’s elected members. Some councillors attended the meeting remotely, as is customary. Chambers' response, "I do find that slightly odd, err, chair, if I’m honest," hinted at his genuine surprise. Lewisham officers were not renowned for their transparency or honesty, a fact supported by the responses to Freedom of Information requests.

The Flee-Infested Tail Wagging the Dirty Red Dog

The headquarters of Lewisham Council, the curved municipal offices, may give the impression of democracy at work, but the real machinations occur elsewhere. The true power lies not in the hands of elected members, save for a few informed councillors, but within the officer clan, a revelation that casts doubt on the council's commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical standards—the very pillars of local governance.

The story becomes more complex as it is revealed that the lapse in committee meetings was not merely an oversight but resulted from an instruction by a previous Monitoring Officer. This decision was taken unilaterally, without consulting Councillor Adefiranye, who chaired the Standards Committee, or other stakeholders. Chambers' own surprise at this decision hinted at deeper complexities. The unnamed officer who issued this directive was part of a cadre of public servants working in the shadows. Keeping their names off the record is standard practice. Not just in Lewisham but across London's 32 boroughs. This practice raises serious concerns about democratic governance, an issue Chambers should be vigilant about. It also highlights the absence of a Register of Interests for officers with delegated powers, adding to the opacity surrounding planning officers and property developers. On which we shall focus later.

The implications of this two-year hiatus in the Standards Committee's proceedings are profound, guiding the rest of the story. It raises questions about what matters proceeded without essential scrutiny and underscores the need to investigate whether principles of transparency, accountability, and adherence to ethical standards were compromised during this period.

As we delve deeper into the narrative, Councillor Adefiranye's concern serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need for a comprehensive inquiry into the council's affairs before, during, and after the pandemic. It reinforces the urgency of addressing these concerns to restore faith in the council's commitment to these fundamental principles of governance. It also foreshadows the forthcoming articles in TheBigRetort, which will delve further into this intriguing story.

Coming soon: Naming names.

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