Laptop Watch

BULLYING CASE BOSS QUITS CITY COUNCIL

2007-07-12T02:23:00.000-07:00

Soth Wales Evening Post - 12th July 2007

The Swansea Council manager who denied claims of being involved in the Lawrence Bailey laptop row has quit the authority. Alison White has been at the centre of a constructive dismissal complaint brought by one of her former staff members.

At the tribunal she dismissed suggestions that images of her were among those found on the former city leader's laptop and strongly denied the pair were having an affair.Swansea Council has now confirmed Mrs White has left the council.

She had been accused of forcing social care complaints officer Julie Jones out of her £30,000-a-year job with the authority.Single mum Mrs Jones, aged 42, quit Swansea Council after taking up a role in its complaints department. At a tribunal in Cardiff, she claimed Mrs White had made her life a misery by undermining her in front of colleagues and verbally abusing her on a number of occasions.

In one incident, the tribunal heard that Mrs White, the council's head of corporate complaints, carried out a sustained four-letter verbal attack on Mrs Jones, of Mansel Drive, Murton. Mrs White was given a written reminder that such behaviour was inappropriate, but a formal complaint lodged by Mrs Jones was dismissed by Swansea Council.

An appeal, which was heard by six Swansea councillors, was also dismissed.During the tribunal, which has been adjourned until August, Mrs Jones said she quit the authority because "daily baiting, insults and abuse were taking their toll".

She also claimed Mrs White acted unprofessionally and was too close to some councillors and senior officers at Swansea Council.At one stage during the tribunal Mrs White was forced to deny she was having an affair with former Lord Mayor Lawrence Bailey, saying: "Good gracious, no. He has been a family friend for more than 20 years. That is absolutely ludicrous.''

She also denied allegations that images of her on Mr Bailey's council laptop computer were subject to any investigation.Mr Bailey, who quit as a councillor last month, was arrested by police after concerns were raised over images found on his council laptop. Detectives took no further action but handed a report of their findings to the council.That report then went to the local government ombudsman and will get a public airing later this year after it was passed to the adjudication panel for Wales for judgement.

During the tribunal, which began last month, Mrs White denied bullying Mrs Jones, and claimed she was the victim.She said: "It is patently obvious that it was me who was being bullied by the claimant."

No reason has been given for Mrs White's resignation.

COUNCIL OFFICER DENIES AFFAIR

2007-07-05T01:19:00.000-07:00

South Wales Evening Post - 5th July 2007

A Senior Swansea Council boss has denied allegations that pictures of her were among those found on the laptop of former city leader Lawrence Bailey.He was arrested, but not charged, over claims of indecent images on his council computer.The former lord mayor is facing a public inquiry into allegations he breached the council's code of conduct.

Speaking at an employment tribunal Alison White, the council's head of corporate complaints, dismissed claims that her images were among those being investigated.She also denied claims the pair were having an affair.Mrs White said: "Good gracious, no. He has been a family friend for more than 20 years."My daughter was a bridesmaid at his wedding. That is absolutely ludicrous.''

Councillor Bailey was arrested by police after concerns were raised over images found on his council laptop. Detectives took no further action but handed a report of their findings to the council. It passed the report straight to the ombudsman, who has now referred the matter to the adjudication panel for Wales for further consideration.

When asked if the images on the laptop showed her in a compromising position, Mrs White answered: "Absolutely not.''The comments came at an employment tribunal brought by former council complaints officer Julie Jones against the council for constructive dismissal. She has alleged that she was bullied and suffered harassment during her employment as a £30,000-a-year complaints officer.She has also claimed inappropriate relationships between officers and councillors.

Ms Jones's representative Jenny Watson was asked about her line of questioning on Mr Bailey's case by tribunal chairman Phillip Davies.She said: "It's my concern that Mrs White is under consideration as to whether or not she has brought the council into disrepute.''Ms Jones has claimed she suffered bullying and intimidation after she joined the corporate complaints team in April 2004.

She had spent more than 16 years as a social worker with the council.Within 12 months, she had been signed off sick, and by September 2005 she handed in her resignation.Ms Jones, of Mansel Drive, Murton, complained internally with the council.But an initial investigation into the claim ruled that there was no case to answer.Ms Jones, a 42-year-old single parent, has claimed she suffered sustained bullying and abuse.Her former manager, Mrs White, has denied the allegations and claims of verbal abuse.The tribunal continues.

TRIBUNAL TO QUESTION BAILEY IN LAPTOP ROW

2007-06-29T01:29:00.000-07:00

South Wales Evening Post - 29th June 2007

Former Swansea Council leader Lawrence Bailey is expected to face a public grilling in the row over images on his council laptop.Adam Peat, the local services ombudsman for Wales, has been investigating the case since Swansea Council officers asked him to intervene.It follows Councillor Bailey's arrest in May, 2006 and a police investigation into the images.

No charges were brought by officers but a report was handed to the council who in turn passed it to the ombudsman. A spokesman for Mr Peat said: "The allegation made was that Lawrence Bailey had inappropriately used council computer equipment."In response to the ombudsman's draft report, Councillor Bailey admitted his conduct amounted to breaches of the code and he accepted responsibility for his conduct."He has since resigned as a member of the City and County of Swansea Council."However, the ombudsman concluded that it was still appropriate to refer the matter to the president of the Adjudication Panel for Wales for adjudication by a tribunal."

The move is the most serious action open to the Ombudsman. It means that the case and its details will be open for the public to attend. The adjudication panel will decide whether breaches have taken place and can hand out a punishment, including suspension and disqualification from office.

However, as Mr Bailey has already quit the authority any punishment would be academic unless he chose to stand for council again.The former Llansamlet ward councillor's decision to step down has triggered a by-election. That is due to be held on Thursday, July 19.Mr Bailey has refused to comment on the latest development in the investigation.A spokeswoman for the adjudication board has said the tribunal is likely to take place in the autumn.

She said: "We have just received the case from the ombudsman's office. The president will appoint a tribunal and the report will then be sent to the tribunal members."They will have an initial look to see if there's any additional information needed before the tribunal hearing."Mr Bailey will be invited to give his own account of the incident.A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "It would be inappropriate to comment at this time."

'BULLIES LEFT ME SICK AND AFRAID'

2007-06-27T01:39:00.000-07:00

South Wales Evening Post - 27th June 2007

A Former Swansea Council worker spent months off sick before quitting her job. Julie Jones, aged 42, says she was left severely depressed and afraid to go into work after continued abuse and belittling by a senior manager and colleagues. Ms Jones, a former social services complaints officer at the council, claims Alison White, head of the corporate complaints team, had effectively driven her out of her job.

She also claims she suffered bullying and intimidation at the hands of two other colleagues in the department.Ms Jones joined the department in April 2004, after spending more than 16 years as a social worker at the council.Speaking at an employment tribunal in Cardiff yesterday, Ms Jones said that within days of moving to the department "the atmosphere in the office became frosty, and conversation went dead as I walked in".Just over 12 months after taking up her £30,000-a-year complaints officer role she had been signed off sick, and by September 2005 she handed in her resignation.

Ms Jones, of Mansel Drive, Murton, said despite repeated complaints to senior managers about what she saw as harassment and unprofessional behaviour, her fears were not properly addressed.An internal, independent investigation was carried out which ruled in favour of Swansea Council.It highlighted one incident where Mrs White verbally abused Ms Jones and said it was a cause for concern.Ms Jones appealed those findings, but her appeal was thrown out by the council.

Ms Jones claimed any support for her within the council dried up, and she felt completely isolated.She said: "In this isolation and the hostile reaction to my raising concerns, I could not function safely and I could not continue to work."She criticised the apparent lack of action by Swansea Council, saying: "There was obviously no recognition of, or attempt to, rectify bad practice, breaches of statute, policy or procedure. It was as though they had never been raised."Likewise, my past and future difficulties in doing our job were just ignored."As well as alleging abuse and harassment,

Ms Jones also made complaints about bad practice in the department, including an over- familiar style with other senior managers and councillors. Mrs White's role meant she could be called on to investigate councillors if a complaint is made.

Earlier in the tribunal, Ms Jones said: "She told me - following my answering one of his frequent telephone calls or visits to the team office - that she and Councillor (Lawrence) Bailey, who was at the time leader of the Labour group and Lord Mayor, were close friends."She expressed concern to me and Alison Walsh in our office one day that he might not do so well at the next election."She went on: "I felt uncomfortable at the obvious close political connection."Alison Walsh has since quit the authority after complaining about the corporate complaints department.

Philip Marshall, acting on behalf of Swansea Council, accused Ms Jones of having an ulterior motive for raising her complaints."You wanted to be out of corporate complaints and back with social services," he said.However, she denied this, saying: "I did not get into this with any preconceived ideas about the outcome."

The case continues.

COUNCIL EMPLOYEE IN BULLYING CLAIM

2007-06-26T01:43:00.000-07:00

South Wales Evening Post - 26th June 2007

A Former Swansea council employee has claimed she was bullied and harassed into quitting her job.Julie Jones claims conditions in the Council's corporate complaints department became so bad she was forced to leave her £30,000-a-year job.

Ms Jones alleged she was subjected to repeated abuse by senior managers and colleagues.Speaking at an employment tribunal in Cardiff yesterday Ms Jones said that in one abusive rant by the head of corporate complaints, Alison White, she was left feeling afraid for her safety.

Ms Jones, of Mansel Drive, Murton, said she became depressed by colleagues' constant snipping after she had joined the Council's corporate complaints department to deal with complaints about social services.She says she was made to feel like an outsider in the team because she refused to join in with gossip and what she saw as unprofessional conduct.Ms Jones said she heard colleagues openly discussing confidential reports and being derogatory about complainants.She said Mrs White was responsible for dealing with complaints that could have been made against councillors and senior managers.

She added: "She should have kept a professional distance because of this."However, she alleged Mrs White boasted of being asked to take the former chief executive Tim Thorogood's dog for a walk.

On other occasions Ms Jones claims Mrs White gossiped about politicians.Ms Jones said: "I transferred a telephone call from Councillor Lawrence Bailey to Mrs White and she said 'yes, he's just been in'."Ms Jones went on to explain how she had heard Mrs White go on to discuss an unnamed councillor who had just visited her.

She said that Mrs White told Councillor Bailey: "He's about to get his comeuppance" and "his wife would need to take back his outfit for the mayor-making".Later that day, as Ms Jones was working late, she was told to go home to her daughter by Mrs White.Ms Jones: "Councillor Bailey and I were both surprised to meet each other at the door as I left."

Ms Jones joined Swansea Council as a social worker in 1987 and moved to the corporate complaints department in April 2004.By September 2005 she had quit the authority.She claims she was repeatedly reprimanded in public by Mrs White, which gave her colleagues tacit agreement to put her down.

She added that, despite repeated attempts to sort out the problem informally, it was never dealt with properly.Eventually Ms Jones issued a formal complaint which was dealt with through the council's harassment policy.The investigation found in the council's favour and, shortly after, Ms Jones quit.Following the investigation, a separate inquiry was launched into Ms Jones's time-keeping which she claims was motivated by revenge.Ms Jones added: "Daily baiting, insults and abuse was taking its toll."

The case continues.

BY-ELECTION CALLED AFTER COUNCILLOR QUITS

2007-06-15T01:47:00.000-07:00

South Wales Evening Post - 15th June 2007

The date has been set for a by-election to replace former council leader Lawrence Bailey, who quit Swansea Council last month.Swansea Council has confirmed the people of Llansamlet will be asked to go to the polls next month.

A council spokesman said: "For a by-election to be called, two electors must write to the council calling for a by-election to take place. We received a letter on Monday."The council will be publishing a notice of poll today for a by- election in the Llansamlet ward, which will be held on July 19."

Mr Bailey's resignation from his Llansamlet ward ended a turbulent 12 months for the former councillor. He was cleared of having illegal images on his council laptop computer, but an inquiry by the council ombudsman was launched after evidence was passed to them by the police.

EX-LEADER TO QUIT COUNCIL

2007-05-14T05:43:00.000-07:00

South Wales Evening Post - 14th May 2007

The Llansamlet councillor has revealed shock plans to stand down by the end of the month.
It comes just over a year after he was arrested and cleared by police over claims he had illegal pornographic images on his council laptop.

His resignation is a huge turnaround for someone who, just three years ago, was one of the most powerful men in the city.

He said: "Uncertainties over employment and other stresses have made it increasingly difficult for me to perform my duties as a councillor.

"I have also found that the events of the past 12 months have taken their toll."

Since last May a cloud has been hanging over Councillor Bailey.
The Visteon manager was arrested by officers at his Birchgrove home after council IT staff called police in when they found pornographic images on his authority-owned laptop. No charges were brought against the 52-year-old, but police passed a report of their findings on to the council who, in turn, passed it on to the Ombudsman.

He has been looking at the case since last November to decide whether any council rules have been broken. His decision is expected soon.

The Ombudsman will also rule on whether Councillor Bailey should be referred to the council's standards committee or the Adjudication Panel for Wales - an independent body that forms tribunals for dealing with breaches of councillors' code of conduct.

Councillor Bailey said: "Legal advice has prevented me from commenting in the past, but in announcing my resignation I can confirm that I did nothing illegal.
"I nevertheless misused public equipment, an action that I disclosed to the Ombudsman and council colleagues, and I fully accept that a penalty must be paid."
That price would seem to be his seat on the council that entitles him to £11,275 a year.
It is a massive fall from grace for one of Swansea's most high profile councillors.

When he was serving as leader of both the council and the Labour group, he was taking home around £50,000 for the top job.
He stood down as Labour leader after the party lost control of the council in the 2004 elections.
Many blamed the defeat on the hugely unpopular shock closure of Swansea Leisure Centre in 2003.

It marked the end of his three years at the helm, during which time he was credited with securing the construction of the city's Liberty Stadium and the redevelopment of Wind Street and Salubrious Place. But it looks as if the curtain is finally falling on his 24 years in politics. A by-election is now likely in his Llansamlet ward ahead of next June's council elections.
He said: "Since the beginning of the year, I have let it be known to a small circle of people that I would be unlikely to seek re-election in 2008.

"However, several factors have now required that I advance my plans to stand down, and I intend to submit my resignation as a councillor by the end of this month."
Councillor Bailey said a new commercial venture was another factor in his decision to quit, adding that it would be incompatible with him staying on as a councillor.
He said: "I have informed colleagues of my decision to resign and I deeply regret that I am unable to complete my term of office.

"But I hope I can say that I've made a contribution over the years, and I am grateful to the people of Llansamlet for re-electing me as their councillor. Theirs is the only verdict that matters. Had it not been for them, I would not have had the opportunity to become a councillor."

BAILEY FACING FRESH PROBE

2006-11-21T06:32:00.000-08:00

South Wales Evening Post - 21st November 2006

Former Swansea Council leader Lawrence Bailey could be investigated by the Local Government Ombudsman over pornographic images allegedly found on his council laptop.A police report on the claims has been handed to the council which has forwarded it to the ombudsman to see if the councillors' code of conduct has been broken and if any action needs to be taken.

The report follows Councillor Bailey's arrest earlier this year after claims illegal images were discovered on his laptop. After a three month probe detectives said that no charges would be pursued, but that a report on their findings would be handed to the council. If the ombudsman decides there is a case to answer he has the power to refer the matter to the council's standards committee.

It can discipline any councillor found guilty of wrongdoing and suspend them if it feels necessary.

Alternatively the ombudsman can pass the matter on to the Adjudication Panel for Wales - an independent body that forms tribunals for dealing with breaches of councillors' code of conduct.

Councillor Bailey was originally arrested in May after concerns were raised about images found on his council laptop. Officers examined the laptop and seized computer equipment from the 51-year-old's Birchgrove home.

He was bailed while detectives investigated the claims.

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Azzopardi said in August that the Crown Prosecution Service would not be pursuing any charges against Councillor Bailey.

He added that a report on the police's findings would be referred to Swansea Council to take any action it thought appropriate.

A spokesman for Adam Peat, the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, said that the body did not comment on ongoing investigations and would not confirm if it was looking at Councillor Bailey's case.

Councillor Bailey said today: "I have been advised to make no comment."

COUNCIL WAITING FOR LAPTOP REPORT

2006-10-14T14:25:00.000-07:00

South Wales Evening Post - 14th October 2006

Swansea Council is still awaiting a police report on former city leader Councillor Lawrence Bailey.The former Labour chief was cleared last month of possessing illegal indecent images on his official council laptop.

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Azzopardi led the investigation, and said there would be no criminal prosecution.

He added that a report on their findings would be sent to Swansea Council for its consideration.

The council is then expected to hand the report directly to the Public Services Ombudsman.

But six weeks after Councillor Bailey heard no criminal charges would be brought against him, the report has still not found its way to Swansea Council.

It is thought the delay is because the police are aware that Councillor Bailey is considering his own legal action against the council.

But Councillor Bailey has refused to comment on the claim.

He had faced a three-month police investigation after council IT staff raised concerns about a number of images on his council-owned laptop.

Detectives seized electronic equipment from Councillor Bailey's Birchgrove home and took it away for examination in May.

In August, Detective Chief Inspector Peter Azzopardi said the matter had been referred back to the council. He said: "The CPS has advised there will not be any criminal prosecution in respect of these matters."

A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "The council is still awaiting the report from South Wales Police."

A spokesman for South Wales Police said: "South Wales Police is still in the process of preparing a file to pass on to Swansea Council."

EX-LEADER CLEARED IN PORN PROBE

2006-08-25T14:34:00.000-07:00

South Wales Evening Post - 25th August 2006

Former Swansea Council boss Lawrence Bailey has been cleared of allegations he had illegal indecent images on his official council laptop.

The news follows a three-month police probe that involved the detailed examination of a number of computers and other items of electronic equipment taken from his family home. Mr Bailey, a former Lord Mayor, had sent the laptop to the council's IT department for repairs in April. Police were called in by the council on May 4 and he was arrested outside his Birchgrove home the following day.

Mr Bailey had denied any wrongdoing from the outset. Detectives now say they are not pursuing any charges.

His legal spokesman said: "We have been advised by police that following a thorough investigation, no action is to be brought in respect of this matter."

Speaking from his Swansea home, Councillor Bailey said he was "obviously delighted" to have been officially cleared of the allegations.

He said: "It was an outcome that was never in any doubt to me or my family during this dreadful ordeal.

"It is regrettable that things were ever taken so far to start with but I have been advised not to add anything further in order to reserve my legal options in this respect.

"As a family, we want to express our gratitude to the police for their courtesy and understanding during their very comprehensive investigation.

"We also want to thank friends, colleagues and supporters for the many cards and calls we received throughout.

"It has been a traumatic three months but our priority now is to get our lives back on track and put the whole matter well and truly behind us."

Mr Bailey has been a councillor since 1983, having joined the Labour Party five years earlier.

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Azzopardi, who led the investigation, said the matter had now been referred back to the council.

"I can confirm the criminal allegations passed to us by Swansea Council have been investigated and advice sought from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)," he said.

"The CPS have advised there will not be any criminal prosecution in respect of these matters.

"A report in respect of the findings will now be referred to Swansea Council for their consideration and any action they may feel is appropriate."

A council spokesman said the authority wanted to make it clear there were never any allegations made by the council against Councillor Bailey, who represents the city's Llansamlet area.

He said: "Matters were referred to the police for investigation in order for the police to determine whether any criminal proceedings were appropriate in the circumstances.

"We await the referral of the full report on the findings of the police in relation to this matter.

"This report will be immediately referred to the ombudsman for him to determine whether there has been a breach of the code of conduct for members and for him to consider whether any further action is appropriate."

Ex-Mayor denies computer misuse

2006-05-08T10:15:00.000-07:00

Western Mail - 8th May 2006

A LEADING Labour councillor in Swansea and former Lord Mayor of the city has been arrested by police concerning allegations over use of his council issue computer.

Lawrence Bailey, 51, a former mayor of Swansea and ex-leader of the city's Labour party, was arrested on Friday in relation to allegations of possession of indecent images. Mr Bailey, of Birchgrove, who works for Visteon, denies any wrong doing.

He said yesterday, "My family and I are shattered by these events and we are anxious for the matter to be resolved quickly.

"I have emphatically denied these allegations and following my brief arrest on Friday evening, I was released without charge the same night. I have given the police my complete co-operation in their investigations and am in no doubt that this matter will be fully resolved.

His second wife, health journalist Sue Bailey, added yesterday,"I don't think there's any suggestion that any illegal websites have been accessed from Lawrence's laptop.

"I know the laptop was taken into the council's IT department by Lawrence late last year, because of a virus which was causing all sort of problems. Anybody who knows Lawrence will know that these claims are ludicrous."

Mr Bailey stood down as Labour leader after the party lost power in Swansea for the first time in 25 years in 2004 following the shock closure of Swansea's popular Leisure Centre.

The centre needed millions of pounds worth of repairs.

A South Wales Police spokesman said yesterday, "We can confirm a Birchgrove man was arrested on Friday concerning allegations in relation to possession of indecent images. He has been granted police bail."

No-one was available for comment at Swansea Council yesterday.