THE disclosure today that, after a three-month inquiry costing taxpayers more than £23,000, auditors investigating allegations of malpractice by Hyndburn Council have found evidence of none, casts more doubt on the credibility of lone independent Councillor Adrian Shurmer who aired these claims.

For this is not the first time that his naivety has been exposed since he joined the council and found himself holding the balance of power.

Three months ago he was boycotting meetings in a sulk over criticism from a council officer over the sort of advice he listened to.

Next, he was found to have been duped by a bogus solicitor who also had his ear and who tried to get a job with the council after Coun Shurmer had introduced him.

Now comes the revelation that his demand for an inquiry into "irregularities" was needless - and, so, a waste of public money.

For a rookie councillor to err once in this fashion is pardonable, but his doing so three times suggests that he still has a lot to learn.

And this would include his not listening to siren voices, his taking criticism on the chin and making sure his ammunition is sound before he shoots his mouth off.

Otherwise, the promise of him being a welcome breath of fresh air in local government will go even more stale.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.