COUNCILLOR PAUL DIMOLDENBERG AND WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL

Early day motion 63, tabled 23 November 2004 by Karen Buck (Labour). Signed by 38 members.

That this House expresses its appreciation of the work done by Westminster City councillor Paul Dimoldenberg over the past 15 years in ensuring the exposure of the Homes for Votes scandal, resulting in the ú42 million surcharge of the former Conservative leader Dame Shirley Porter and former Deputy Leader David Weeks; notes that the Council had failed to collect any part of the surcharge by the summer of 2003, 18 months after the House of Lords upheld the District Auditor's decision to surcharge Dame Shirley; notes furthermore that substantial sums of money subsequently recovered by Westminster towards the surcharge were located in the immediate aftermath of a BBC news story assisted by Councillor Dimoldenberg, leading to a settlement which has to date resulted in the repayment of ú12.3 million; expresses its incredulity at the decision of the Standards Board to uphold a complaint made against Councillor Dimoldenberg by Westminster Council for his part in the BBC's investigation into Dame Shirley's finances which may result in his disqualification or suspension from the office; and believes that it should be the role of the Standards Board and others to defend whistleblowers who are clearly acting in the public interest, as has clearly been the case with Councillor Dimoldenberg.

Signatures by party: Labour 36, Labour/Co-operative 2.