The pressure is really beginning to show on George, MAYOR LOONYPANTS isn’t it? He’s now decided that the council’s external auditors GRANT THORNTON, the sixth largest accountancy firm in the world, are running “politically motivated smears” against him.
This unlikely scenario seems to result from Grant Thornton’s recently published audit findings (see also The BRISTOLIAN #4.8), which said,
Review of the Mayor’s declarations of interest found a number of organisations with which the Council have had interaction which have not been included within the related parties transactions note.
Politically motivated smears by 'BristolRed' are beneath contempt. Discredits his party. Everything declared, nothing to hide. End of story!
— People & Cities (@GeorgeFergusonx) October 12, 2013
Now, we appreciate that large accountancy firms aren’t the most thorough or honest of organisations but would they really make this stuff up and risk their reputation just to smear a ridiculous little posh man from Bristol? And if it weren’t true and it’s “Everything declared, nothing to hide. End of story!” why has such a claim been made by this reputable source and included and signed-off in the audited accounts for 2012-13 of Bristol City Council?
What’s true? A set of formal, official on-the-record public accounts or the Saturday morning Twitter ramblings of a posh twit with a problematic relationship to the truth?
Ferguson is not accusing the accountants of “politically motivated smears”, but he appears to be accusing the Twitter user ‘bristolred’ of doing so.
The audit report does not say Ferguson hasn’t declared all his interests. It says some of the council’s ‘interactions’ have not been included and discussions are ongoing as to whether they need to be. If The Bristolian has definitive evidence of conflict of interest then it should bring that forward. The audit report makes no such allegations.
The only pants under pressure are The Bristolian’s, who may be at risk of having them sued off.
Someone is very busy shilling for the Council today
And love the threat of litigation. Nothing like rich people trying to silence a free press.
Guess you prefer the cut and paste council propaganda in the Bristol post.
Is it possible to sue someone for quoting a local authority’s annual report?
Hilarious Harry Horfield. Times ticking for mayor red trousers and his merchant venturer mates! Keep going BRISTOLIAN! MORE REVEALS PLEASE!
How much cash does a Ferguson spend, if a Ferguson could spend spend? (On his election campaign)
Answers on postcards please!
Vote for a shyster-that’s what you get-with or without red trousers.
Horfield Harry… Sue Who? Truth is absolutely a defence…expect you like Donut Queen Mountstevens too…birds of a feather etc;