Sacked councillors deny conflict of interest

TWO senior Surrey county councillors have defended their conduct after they were removed from their high profile cabinet posts.

Ian Lake and Denise Saliagopoulos, who represent Weybridge and Staines respectively, were sacked by leader David Hodge over matters which are now being referred to the councils standards committee.

Councillor Saliagopoulos said involvement in a private company had led to the pair's dismissal. Both she and Cllr Lake are listed as directors of Charter House Chancery Ltd, which was set up more than a year ago to build alliances between UK business and other countries across the world, particularly China and West Africa.

The company, which has its registered address in Cobham, arranges packages for visitors to the UK, in particular for the London Olympic Games.

Cllr Saliagopoulos, who is losing her post as cabinet member for community services and the 2012 Olympics, said: "I have absolutely nothing to hide. The company does not work in conflict with what I am doing and there is no conflict of interest whatsoever.

"I was asked to join the company. It's not a problem because the company has not made any money - I have nothing to show for it thus far."

She said she would have more time to commit to her business interests and to being the company's secretary now she was no longer a cabinet member, adding that she was "happy" to speak to the standards committee.

Cllr Lake, who was the cabinet member for transport and environment, said: "Surrey County Council have alleged that a conflict of interest in my day-to-day workings for the authority existed and I was dismissed from my cabinet post.

"I completely and utterly deny this allegation. I look forward to the opportunity of proving to the standards committee in due course that this has not been the case and to receiving an apology from the leader."

Cllr Hodge said it was "disappointing" that he had to dismiss his cabinet members.

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Sacked councillors deny conflict of interest