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01 December 2006

Aide puzzle

Mystery surrounds the suspension of the political assistant to Stoke-on-Trent’s elected mayor.

 

It is understood Denise Cooper, who began working for mayor Mark Meredith last year, has been sent home while an internal investigation into unspecified allegations is launched.

 

Councillors and chief officers have not been formally told Ms Cooper has been suspended, only that she is ‘away from her desk’. But a council spokesman confirmed to The MJ she was under suspension. He said the suspension did not imply any guilt but allowed for a proper investigation.

 

An inquiry has already been held into why a previous aide to Mr Meredith had his salary increased by £13,000 from the original figure set down by the council. The inquiry found ‘deficiencies in the procedures’ and an unnamed senior official was disciplined. Mr Meredith’s role in the affair is still being investigated by the Standards Board.

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