Correspondents report two interesting sightings at yesterday’s demo. at the Knowle .
Economic Development Manager, Nigel Harrison, was spotted leaving the offices at about 3.40p.m. – looking decidedly uncomfortable in the presence of photographers and reporters.
SIN-ners will remember that Mr Harrison was mentioned by “councillor for hire” Graham Brown in his famous sting interview in the Telegraph as the first contact to “kickstart” planning permission for clients of the latter prepared to pay more than “peanuts”.
After his disastrous appearance in March at the first meeting of the TAFF enquiry into EDDC’s relations with East Devon Business Forum (whose chairman was G. Brown) Mr Harrison disappeared from the radar.
Rumours suggested that he had quietly retired. Obviously not. But he must have a lot of spare time now following the demise of EDBF for which he did a sterling job as Honorary Secretary, for example defending Mr Brown against “unfair” allegations of “impropriety”.
Also noticed going into the confidential briefing for councillors was Cllr Tony Howard, representing Ottery Rural. In an amicable chat with protesters, he was at pains to reassure them that EDDC decision-making was transparent at all times.
Could this be same Tony Howard who, last year, commented to Aylesbeare Parish Council (see SIN 14 November 2012) that Council Leader Paul Diviani was “paying the price” for being “too open”? He thought Cllr Diviani’s predecessor was right to be economical with the transparency because, “Transparency has risks.”
On the same occasion Cllr Howard condemned the Sidmouth Mass March which assembled over 4000 people as a “distraction”for EDDC, “We want to govern the district but our concentration is going on Sidmouth and Exmouth. It is taking time out from doing the job.”
So much for local democracy!