THE widow of Bournemouth council’s last chief executive can be revealed as the source who provided the Daily Echo with his private papers outlining his concerns about council leader John Beesley.

Lynne Williams passed her husband Tony’s documents to the Echo because she had “little confidence” that Bournemouth council or an independent investigation would treat them properly.

The investigation, led by solicitor Mark Heath, concluded that allegations about Cllr Beesley were unproven. Its findings will be discussed by a standards board tomorrow – the last working day for Bournemouth Borough Council before it is abolished.

Mr Williams started an investigation and consulted solicitors over his concerns that the council’s reputation was being damaged by Cllr Beesley’s role as a paid consultant to hotels and developers.

Mr Williams was made redundant in March 2017, two weeks after returning to work following a serious illness – stunning councillors who had just agreed that he should lead Bournemouth and Poole’s shared council services until 2019. He died last May, aged 56. Mrs Williams decided she wanted to be identified as the source who provided the Echo with Mr Williams’ papers, including a 40-page police statement. The Crown Prosecution Service later decided there was not enough evidence to prosecute.

Mrs Williams said: “A few weeks ago I found myself facing a dilemma. I realised, from reports in the Bournemouth Echo, that the external inquiry by Mark Heath into complaints against John Beesley was already under way and none of my late husband’s extensive documentation had been requested.

“Without Tony’s paperwork from his own review in 2017 just before his departure from the council, the investigation would be incomplete.

“I could have sent the documentation to the Town Hall or indeed to Mr Heath directly, but I had little confidence in either of those two options.

“Therefore, I put all Tony’s paperwork, including his draft statement to the police, into the public domain through the Bournemouth Echo.

“The Echo has carefully and faithfully reported on Tony’s review into Cllr Beesley and provided the only alternative narrative. I would like to thank the newspaper for doing so.

“It has given me the chance to put my husband’s side of the story, something denied to us, officially.

“I chose initially to remain anonymous at that point as it was approaching the first anniversary of his passing.

“Tony features heavily in Mr Heath’s final report and Mr Heath has contacted me with his reason for Tony’s exclusion, which I find totally unacceptable. I clearly made entirely the right decision in asking the Echo to help.”

She said her husband had been accorded “whistle blower status” by the council and the district auditor, but this had been “totally ignored”.

Mrs Williams said: “As the new BCP Council begins life next week, it is so important that the residents of Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch can have the utmost confidence in those they choose to represent them and in the integrity of local government. I hope that the new chief executive, Mr Farrant, will make this issue a priority.”

The concerns over Cllr Beesley’s conduct centred on his status as director and sole employee of Hospitality Solutions. In the council’s register of interests, he does not disclose the specific work it does with particular clients or how much he is paid.

Particular concerns had been raised about the approval of an application to redevelop the site of the Belvedere Hotel as a hotel and flats. It was approved against the advice of the tourism department, heritage offer and Bournemouth Accommodation and Hotels Association, and contrary to council parking policy.

One councillor, Steve Bartlett, raised his concerns with Tony Williams. Days later, he said he was called to an “unofficial Conservative group meeting” to authorise asking the full council to make Mr Williams redundant.

However, planning officers involved insisted Mr Beesley “stuck to the rules of engagement”, and Mr Heath concluded there was compelling evidence” that standards had not been breached.

Mrs Williams' letter in full

I am Lynne Williams, the widow of Tony Williams, the last chief executive of Bournemouth Borough Council.

A few weeks ago I found myself facing a dilemma.

I realised, from reports in the Bournemouth Echo, that the external inquiry by Mark Heath into complaints against John Beesley was already under way, and none of my late husband's extensive documentation had been requested.

Without Tony's paperwork from his own review in 2017, just before his departure from the council, the investigation would be incomplete.

I could have sent the documentation to the town hall, or indeed to Mr Heath directly, but I had little confidence in either of those two options.

Therefore, I put all Tony's paperwork, including his draft statement to the police, into the public domain through the Bournemouth Echo.

The Echo has carefully and faithfully reported on Tony's review into Cllr Beesley and provided the only alternative narrative. I would like to thank the newspaper for doing so.

It has given me the chance to put my husband's side of the story, something denied to us officially.

I chose initially to remain anonymous at that point as it was approaching the first anniversary of his passing.

Tony features heavily in Mr Heath's final report and Mr Heath has contacted me with his reason for Tony's exclusion, which I find totally unacceptable.

I clearly made entirely the right decision in asking the Echo to help.

Tony did not request the confidentiality agreement, in fact they are insisted upon by the employer.

He was keen to secure whistleblower status. This status, of which I have supporting paperwork, was granted by both the council and district auditor and was totally ignored.

At least one of his interviews was contrary to one of those published in the final report.

My late husband considered that it was vital for any elected member to fully disclose their outside interests.

It is a matter of openness and transparency that this should happen, that every member should fully declare any outside business interests in the register of members interests and inform the chief executive.

Tony considered that it was absolutely essential in the position of council leader.

As the new BCP Council begins life next week, it is so important that the residents of Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch can have the utmost confidence in those they choose to represent them, and in the integrity of local government.

I hope that the new chief executive, Mr Farrant, will make this issue a priority.