South Wales Evening Post - 5 December 2007
The leader of Swansea's Conservatives says he has had to withdraw a public statement because he was faced with a "potentially catastrophic legal action" from the council's assistant chief executive.
Councillor Rene Kinzett had issued a press release referring to the council's eGovernment scheme, and Michelle Morris's impending departure from the authority.The statement called for answers over the £83 million eGovernment programme, and the equal pay and job evaluation exercise which, he said, was "set to cost the council at least £13 million".Councillor Kinzett said Miss Morris saw the press release as a personal attack on her and threatened legal action against him.
He added he had to withdraw the release and issue another version.Councillor Kinzett said: "A senior officer has threatened an elected member with legal action over a release."
He added: "The eGovernment project is failing."It has only made about 30 per cent of its target benefit so far - that's a projected figure for the next couple of years. Eighty-three million pounds of public money is involved.
"I was really surprised to get the letter.
"Because I can't afford to defend a potentially catastrophic legal action against me, I have had to withdraw the original release."
In a revised statement, councillor Kinzett, who represents Mayals Ward and has been selected to fight the Swansea West constituency at the next General Election, said of the eGovernment scheme: "Given that the project's most senior officer is soon to depart this authority, I have very little faith in the ability of the politicians to turn this project around.
"There are still many questions left unanswered about why the eGovernment programme has yet to live up to expectations."
Michelle Morris, who is set to leave Swansea Council to join a local authority in Scotland, said: "I am not happy about a press release."I asked my solicitor to write to him and ask him to reconsider a press release.
"I don't really wish to comment through the press about this.
"It is a matter between myself and Rene Kinzett."
