WESTERN TELEGRAPH EXCLUSIVE: Park officer faces uncertain future

5:30pm Wednesday 16th January 2008

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A senior National Park officer is facing potential disciplinary proceedings after the authority's monitoring officer found that the Code of Conduct could have been breached.

The revelation is made in the report into the controversial sale of land at East Blockhouse, Angle.

Questions were first raised after the national park authority's Asset Management Group - of which Mr Gary Meopham, the Estates Officer, was a member - declined the opportunity to buy the site.

Later, Mr Meopham bought the site privately with three other people.

Monitoring officer Dewi Davies interviewed several members of staff and the estate agent of the former Qinetiq MoD building during his investigation.

He found conflicting reports on the timescale of events, which has put the integrity of Mr Meopham, the Authority Estates officer in question, the report adds.

It also states that there is a conflict of accounts given by the officer and estate agents about when the sale of the property was agreed.

Monitoring officer Dewi Davies stated: "My investigation has revealed that there is a conflict of evidence' as to the events which took place."

The conflict refers to information supplied by the Estates Officer and details from the Qinetiq Estates officer about the date an offer was made for the property.

The Monitoring Officer stated: "In my judgement, my investigation has revealed that there exists prima facie evidence, which may show that there have been breaches of the Code of Conduct by the Authority's Estates Officer."

The possible breaches include use of the officer's official position to gain a financial benefit, preferential treatment or other advantage, failure to declare any private interest, and take steps to resolve any conflict in a way that protects the public interest.

Further potential breaches include the officer placing himself in a position where his integrity was called into question, using the authority's facilities for his own personal benefit and failing to act impartially and in a way that preserves the public's confidence in the professionalism of the authority's staff.

Mr Davies found the National Park Authority had not acted improperly in dealing with the issue.

His report stated: "The officers interviewed assured me that the process by which the Angle site issue was considered by the Asset Management Group was not a one-off; it was dealt with within the common practice'.

He added: "Save and except the matters I have specifically referred to, my investigation has not revealed any other irregularity, impropriety or maladministration by the Authority."

The National Park Authority will discuss the report on January 23rd.