By Leader of council Phillip Jackson urged to stand down after former deputy’s links with fraudster
Phillip Jackson, the leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, faces a vote of no confidence on Thursday because of his former deputy John Fenty’s business links with a convicted fraudster.
Councillor Phillip Jackson has been told by the opposition that he “needed to stand down to give the council a fresh start.”
Councillor Fenty, former chairman of Grimsby Town FC, stood down as deputy leader of North East Lincolnshire Council in December, but remained as the ward councillor for Humberston and New Waltham.
His resignation came after his business links with convicted fraudster Alex May came to light.
He had invited May to attend a meeting with the Grimsby Town FC club directors.
May was jailed for six years after, in 2007, he led a gang of con artists who targeted elderly residents of Manchester. He also stole £3.5 million and attempted to steal another £3.3 million.
In December, it was also revealed that Fenty had meetings with senior officials of North East Lincolnshire Council about potential developments in the area.
Labour councillors are urging Councillor Jackson to step down as leader of the council, due to his handling of the revelations about his former deputy Fenty.
Councillor Matthew Patrick, Labour Opposition Leader, said that residents had raised concerns about the appointment of Councillor Fenty to the position of portfolio holder for regeneration.
Following this, the Labour opposition insisted that Councillor Phillip Jackson independently investigate these concerns.
Additionally, Labour councillors said the investigation of former Councillor Fenty should have been made public and action taken – but an official investigation is yet to take place.
The vote will be held at a council meeting on Thursday following the motion that Councillor Phillip Jackson stand down as Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council.
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