Tony McNulty gives a helping hand to Brent Labour

There was an interesting tweet from Cllr Krupesh Hirani yesterday when he was out campaigning for Labour in Dudden Hill ward.

Tony McNulty is the former Labour MP for Harrow East who resigned his ministerial position after  allegations that he claimed expenses for a second home, occupied by his parents, which was only 8 miles away from his primary residence. As a minister McNulty had said, 'We are absolutely determined to stop benefit thieves stealing from the British taxpayer.'

McNulty is married to Christine Gilbert, Interim Chief Executive of Brent Council. Gilbert's arrangement for her salary to be paid into her private company Christine Gilbert Associates LINK though legal, have come in for criticism.

Yesterday I blogged that  a report by Fiona Ledden, to be considered by full council, recommends that the permanent Chief Executive post is not advertised until after the 2014 Council Elections.

One of the stated reasons is:

Council will be aware that there will be an election in the Borough in May 2014 when all Council seats will be up for election and this is clearly an important matter for the authority not only in terms of operational management but also in relation to reputation management. The continuance of the current interim arrangements will ensure that the overall planning and management for that election can be organised and properly overseen by an interim Chief Executive who has developed a full understanding of the organisation.

It is reassuring that so much trouble is being taken to protect the reputation of the council.