Antony Hook successfully represented a councillor accused by his own local authority of disclosing confidential information and abusing his office. The councillor had raised concerns about whether Council Tax was being collected correctly. The local authority subsequently launched an investigation against him and then commenced disciplinary proceedings.
Over a period of months, Mr Hook made written representations that the local authority had fundamentally misapplied its own Code of Conduct, the independent investigation report was flawed, the allegations were not made out on the evidence and the disciplinary proceedings brought against Mr Hook’s client were incompatible with the authority’s adopted policies on Whistleblowing and Fraud Prevention. The case engaged GDPR issues and had potential to engage Human Rights Act issues if it continued.
The disciplinary proceedings have now been dropped by the authority. Mr Hook’s client is exonerated from all alleged wrongdoing.
Antony Hook represents people employed by or appointed or elected to public authorities (or organisations) who are subjected to disciplinary proceedings. He is also available to advise and represent public authorities and other organisations, and to conduct independent investigations. He has particular expertise in local government.