Board apologises for IslingtBy Suzanne Cumberbatch The Standards Board for England is to apologise to Islington LBC chief executive, Helen Bailey, over its handling of the recent inquiry into the authority. The inquiry centred around the appointment of Ms Bailey, after it was alleged Liberal Democrat authority leader, Steve Hitchins, and four of his council colleagues, inappropriately appointed her (The MJ, 12 January 2006). Also apologising to all members involved, the board concluded that the investigation, which lasted more than three years and cost the board £675,000, should have been completed more quickly, and aspects of the investigation could have been handled ‘differently and better’. Chief executive, David Prince, told The MJ the case was unusual to the extent that the chief executive was caught up in it. He confirmed that a meeting would be arranged between Ms Bailey and chair of the board, Sir Anthony Holland, for an in-person apology to be made, but added he could not comment on whether the board would pick up Ms Bailey’s legal costs, which exceeded six figures, ahead of the meeting. The council is also expect to ask the board to consider its costs. Sir Anthony said: ‘This was an early case in an untested statutory framework. I apologise on behalf of the board that on this occasion we did not meet the high standard that local government rightly expects from us’. The board has already implemented changes since the Islington investigation started, but plans further legislative change including enabling wider disclosure of information concerning cases, enabling the board to have an oversight of cases, including a code of practice and quality control framework, and ensuring that it is clear the role of ethical standards officer is not one of prosecutor. Helen Bailey told The MJ: ‘I welcome today’s statement by the standards board and I’m pleased it is reviewing its own standards and procedures.’ s.cumberbatch@hgluk.comon case failures