Councillor quits role after police charges
A WEST Lothian councillor who was charged following a corruption probe last week has stepped down from his role on the council's planning committee.
Action To Save St John's Hospital councillor Gordon Beurskens, 47, and his business associate, Peter McMahon, 60, were charged last Thursday following a police investigation into alleged planning irregularities surrounding an 8 million development in East Whitburn.
Cllr Beurskens and Mr McMahon, director of Aftondale Ltd which was behind the development, have been charged under the Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Act.
Whitburn councillor Jim Dickson, 60, was also detained last Friday in relation to the same inquiry, but was released without charge.
Councillor Beurskens, from Longridge, described the charges as "nonsense".
He has continually denied any wrongdoing over the allegations, but this week "temporarily" withdrew his participation in various planning committees.
In a letter to West Lothian Council chief executive Alex Linkston, who reported him to police in December 2008, Cllr Beurskens said: "Following the activities of Lothian and Borders Police last Friday, and in order to protect the integrity of the planning system in which the public rightly demand the highest standards of probity and propriety, I will temporarily be standing down from my membership of the Development Management Committee and the Local Review Body.
"In addition, I will not be attending meetings of the West Lothian Council Planning Committee, nor any meetings of West Lothian Council dealing with planning matters. Once I have cleared my name, I will look to review my participation in these bodies."
Council leader Peter Johnston said: "I fully support Councillor Beurskens' decision and believe it is in the best interests of the council at the current time. It is business as usual for the council and a report will be prepared to deal with the issues arising from Councillor Beurskens' recent decision."
"It will be discussed at the full council on 27 April."
An investigation was launched by police last year into alleged corruption after the development at Whitrigg in East Whitburn for a hotel, 100 houses and a care home was given the go-ahead by councillors last November, despite recommendations by planning officers to refuse it.
Mr Beurskens added: "I can't really say much regarding the charges but We will be defending the matter vociferously."
"I'm glad it has reached a conclusion because this has gone on for too long, but it is a nonsense, utter nonsense."
Mr McMahon added: "Anything that has been said against me will be vigorously denied in court. I have no comment to make."
A police statement said: "Lothian and Borders Police can confirm that two men have been arrested and charged in relation to an inquiry into alleged offences under the Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Act."
"Reports will be submitted to the procurator fiscal in relation to the men, aged 60 and 47, who have addresses in West Lothian."
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Tuesday 07 February 2012
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