MOVES are afoot to invite an independent arbitrator into Lancaster Town Hall to investigate the council's handling of the David Christley affair.

The Independent group has tabled a motion asking for an independent inquiry into the serious allegations made by the former tourism officer.

Mr Christley was sacked on charges of harassment and bullying but was cleared by a Industrial Tribunal which declared he had been "unfairly dismissed" and that the council's case was "both procedurally and substantively unfair."

The previous Labour administration resisted calls for an independent inquiry but, following the massive swing against Labour at the last election, a coalition of Independents and Greens are keen to shed new light on the affair. The council has not commented.

The Independents hope to secure an arbitrator from ACAS to conduct the inquiry and expect to set aside £4,000 to pay for it.

Said Cllr Geoff Wilson: "We feel that it is imperative that the council are seen by the public to be open in all matters. We have already been told that the insurers have no problem with us holding such an inquiry."

The matter will be discussed at the personnel sub-committee on September 22.

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