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Press Release
LIBERAL DEMOCRATS EXPEL COUNCILLOR
Following a meeting of the Liberal Democrat Group on Doncaster Council on Saturday 31st May, they confirmed that they would not be accepting the Mayor's invitation to join his 'cross-party' cabinet as it is not cross-party and therefore the Mayor clearly has not listened to the District Auditor.
Cllr Patrick Wilson has personally been in longstanding negotiations with the Mayor about joining the Cabinet. Cllr Wilson has been offered the portfolio of Children, Schools and Young People an area of which he admits he has very little knowledge!
Cllr Wilson was suspended from the Group pending an investigation. On Saturday he was invited to meet the Group hearing into his conduct and was asked to explain his actions.
Cllr Wilson admitted to the Group that he would not have considered joining the cabinet if he was still Group Leader. Cllr Edwin Simpson had been elected leader at the Group's Annual General Meeting earlier this month. Cllr Simpson beat Cllr Wilson for the position of Group Leader.
The Group unanimously agreed to expel Cllr Wilson from the Liberal Democrat Council Group, stating that he had brought his position and the Party into disrepute. Cllr Wilson's membership of the Liberal Democrats will be discussed at a future meeting of the Constituency Party.
Cllr Stephen Coddington, Deputy Group Leader said " Cllr Wilson is joining a band of renegades, mavericks and minority parties to form a Cabinet that is representative of only 20% of the elected members of the Authority. The Liberal Democrats, Labour and a large Independent Group are excluded from the Cabinet - so much for it being cross-party in the interests of the Borough".
For further information, please contact Cllr Stephen Coddington, Deputy Group Leader on 07830170482.
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