• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

News and entertainment worth sharing – York and North Yorkshire

  • News
  • Things to do
  • Radio
  • Vouchers
  • Categories
    • Business
  • More
    • Comments
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
Giants of Soul at York Barbican

Police drop York council investigation

The hearing was held at City of York Council HQ. Photograph: YorkMix
Tuesday 19 December, 2017 @ 6.12 pm News, Politics YorkMix
Share via...

Police have dropped their investigation which followed two councillors being sacked from the City of York Council executive.

And the news has drawn a stinging response by their party, the Liberal Democrats.

YorkMix revealed in September that North Yorkshire Police had been called in after senior councillors Keith Aspden and Nigel Ayre were dropped from their posts.

It is unclear as to whether the police probe was into both councillors, or only one.

Cycle Heaven York
Cycle Heaven York
Cycle Heaven York
Cycle Heaven #ad

Detailed assessment

The Conservative leader of York council David Carr stripped the pair of their cabinet responsibilities on August 30.

He said he’d no choice given “the the seriousness of the allegations”.

After the suspensions, police said they had “received information regarding this matter which is currently being assessed”.

A spokesman then stressed it did not constitute a criminal investigation.

Nearly 12 weeks later, a North Yorkshire Police spokesman said on Tuesday (December 19):

Following a detailed assessment of information received by North Yorkshire Police, we do not intend to take any further action in relation to this matter.

‘Unjust, unwarranted and unprecedented’

Cllr Keith Aspden

A spokesperson for the York Liberal Democrat Council Group said that they have “received the very welcome news from City of York Council that North Yorkshire Police will not be investigating”.

They said: “It is important that due process is followed and we look forward to working with council processes to allow this matter to be resolved as quickly as possible.

“As previously stated in September, the Liberal Democrat group will continue to put the needs of the city first and stands firm in its support for Cllr Aspden and Cllr Ayre.

“The action by the council leader in removing them from their executive positions in advance of any standards process is unjust, unwarranted and unprecedented.”

What now?

Cllr Nigel Ayre

City of York Council is still carrying out an internal investigation into the conduct of Cllr Aspden, who was deputy leader of the council and held the economic development and community engagement portfolio, and Cllr Ayre, who held the culture, leisure and tourism brief.

No details about the allegations facing them have been revealed.

The Standards Committee began an investigation and referred the matter to the authority’s monitoring officer.

Now the police are taking no action, the committee may wish to restart its work, and decide if there is a case to answer.

The Liberal Democrat Group spokesperson said: “We do not know definitive timings, but we will work with the council, so the matter can be resolved as quickly as possible.”

Continued uncertainty will do nothing to alleviate the pressure on the Tory-Lib Dem coalition which runs York.

Related YorkMix stories

Two York councillors ordered to stand down during investigation into ‘serious allegations’

‘We would have been accused of a cover up’ – Council leader hits back on suspensions row

Face-off at York council after ‘inappropriate’ appointment of suspended councillor

Footer

YorkMix
News 01904 848 766
Email YorkMix news »
5-6 King's Court, Shambles, York  YO1 7LD
YorkMix Radio
General enquiries 01904 375 029
Studio/competitions 01904 375 030
Email YorkMix Radio »
Selby Superbowl, Bawtry Road, Selby  YO8 8NA
YorkMix is a trading name of YorkMix Media Ltd
Registered in England
Company number: 07814727
VAT number: 154 0364 34
© York Sound Ltd

Copyright © 2022 YorkMix Media Ltd

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT