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Brian Hall: "Relentless campaign against me"
Yesterday controversial councillor Brian Hall stepped down from the
Pembrokeshire County Council cabinet.
Cllr Hall blamed a "relentless campaign" against him but apologised for the
threatening remarks he made against a BBC journalist.
The resignation speech Cllr Hall made in the council chamber is printed in
full below.
"I am a simple man and try to do my very best and sometimes lost my cool -
probably no different to most. And I say things that I regret. Today I want
to apologise publicly for anything that I may have said or done that has
caused any distress.
"Over the last five years or so I have suffered a relentless campaign
against me. My family have been brought into this vendetta and I am not
prepared for this to go on any longer.
"I made what I accept were some very stupid comments to a BBC TV reporter
and I deeply regret them comments. Despite the continued provocation I
received I apologised to him and his employers in writing over 18 months
although I have never heard a word in reply or heard it reported in the
media.
"You will all know the Standards Committee decided that I had not brought
the Council into disrepute. You would not think so if you had read the
local press and various websites recently five weeks on.
"However I do apologise to my colleagues for any problems that I have
caused. I have been a councillor for many more years than I care to mention..
Pembroke Dock Town Council, South Pembs District Council, and now County
Council and I think I have made a contribution. But one thing I know is that
I've worked very hard. Self-praise is no praise but I assure you that I
have. I do my best for Pembroke Dock and Pembrokeshire and I have worked
all the hours God gave.
My commitment is to the people of the county and this Council, and I have
driven thousands of miles on this behalf.
"I have been falsely accused of all sorts of criminal offences by certain
individuals and I've been investigated by the District Auditor, the
Ombudsman, the local police and the Fraud Squad and uncle Tom Cobley and
all, and I've been cleared of any offences. I've had enough of it and I'm
not going to take it any more. So that there is no doubt in anyone's mind,
I have made a decision.
" I gave the Chief Exec a letter revoking my right to claim travelling
expenses and will not be claiming such expenses for the rest of the term of
this council. I've also given a conversation to the Leader and I've told
him that I intend to resign from the Mid and West Wales Fire Authority,
resign is not the right word, I would say, retire from the Mid and West
Wales Fire Authority immediately my term of office as chairman finishes
shortly. I have asked the leader to decide on my replacement on the Fire
Authority.
That was my position until the last 12 hours.
"I have thought long and hard and have decided that my family comes
paramount.
Knowing this tirade of abuse would continue even though I have been proved
innocent on a number of occasions, I now offer the leader my resignation
from the cabinet and I shall decide later whether I shall remain a member of
the Independent Group.
"Bearing in mind initially this week nearly all the Independent members told
me that they supported me, regrettably some of them say one thing and do
another. I shall continue to serve this county and the people of Pembroke
Dock, which I have always tried to do to the best of my ability. I shall
now leave and thank you very much Mr Chairman".
5:04pm Friday 2nd March 2007
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CommentPosted by: Martin Lewis, Neyland on 6:08pm Fri 2 Mar 07
[bold]"I am a simple man and try to do my very best and sometimes lost my cool - probably no different to most."[/bold]
Fair enough Brian, we all lose our cool from time to time but you are a public figure and threatening to have someone's arms and legs broken and inferring they would be murdered if they ever went to Ireland is extreme violence, not just saying something in your temper.
[bold]"I made what I accept were some very stupid comments to a BBC TV reporter and I deeply regret them comments."[/bold]
It appears now that you agree that you made these comments after "losing your cool" NOT "in jest" so you obviously LIED to the Standards Committee, your colleagues and the people of this county whilst trying to save your own neck.
[bold]"You will all know the Standards Committee decided that I had not brought the Council into disrepute. You would not think so if you had read the local press and various websites recently five weeks on."[/bold]
You got off on a legal technicality because the Standards Committee didn't have the guts to rule against you on a point of law. All normal people in this county and indeed anywhere else would agree that if you claimed travelling expenses to get to that meeting then you were there on official council business - it's that simple and an insult to our intelligence to suggest otherwise via an expensive lawyer. Some of us still abide by common sense when making simple judgements and don't have the money to hire fancy lawyers.
[bold]"My commitment is to the people of the county and this Council"[/bold]
If you were truly committed to the people of this county then you would NOT have made the decision to decrease the readiness of our last 24 hour cover firefighting service in this county and then try to insult our intelligence even further by trying to make us believe that it was actually an improvement and in our best interests. Obviously all of the firefighters themselves along with the massive majority of people in this county have missed something that only you are privy to. You obviously know best.....
[bold]"and I have driven thousands of miles on this behalf."[/bold]
Yes, at half a quid per mile I'm sure you made a tidy little profit out of it all too. And the biggest bone of contention for me personally wasn't your threat against the BBC reporter, it was the fabrication of miles travelled and claimed for, for which there is much evidence and the claiming of expenses from both the Fire Authority and the County Council for travelling to and attending the same meeting. [bold]THIS WAS PURE GREED[/bold] and probably the main contribution to your downfall because that's what left the people in this county feeling personally ripped off by you.
[bold]"I have been falsely accused of all sorts of criminal offences by certain individuals and I've been investigated by the District Auditor, the Ombudsman, the local police and the Fraud Squad and uncle Tom Cobley and all, and I've been cleared of any offences.[/bold]
The District Auditor assured the police that no crime had been committed. If you had been PROPERLY investigated then any amount of fraudulent expenses claims might have turned up. Cllr Mike Stoddart has published several specific items on his website that he has found so if they are false accusations why haven't you sued these people? The answer is of course there is substantial evidence available that proves the accusations are [bold]TRUE[/bold].
[bold]"I've had enough of it and I'm not going to take it any more. So that there is no doubt in anyone's mind, I have made a decision."[/bold]
The feeling is definately mutual Cllr Hall. We've had enough of you and your greed and this has proved to be your downfall, not your temper.
[bold]"I gave the Chief Exec a letter revoking my right to claim travelling expenses and will not be claiming such expenses for the rest of the term of this council."[/bold]
I should imagine that you are well in credit and won't suffer too much loss.
[bold]"I've also given a conversation to the Leader and I've told him that I intend to resign from the Mid and West Wales Fire Authority, resign is not the right word, I would say, retire from the Mid and West Wales Fire Authority immediately my term of office as chairman finishes shortly. I have asked the leader to decide on my replacement on the Fire Authority."[/bold]
No, resign is a GOOD word Cllr Hall, but do it with immediate effect. Of course, this is of no real consequence as the damage has already been done in this department and it will be remembered as one of your finest moments - NOT!
[bold]"Bearing in mind initially this week nearly all the Independent members told me that they supported me, regrettably some of them say one thing and do another."[/bold]
You were obviously in very good company by the sounds of it. I only wish that this group of yes-men(and women) had been forced into an open vote to get rid of you so that we could see all of them in their true colours.
I really believe that the people of this county will be better served by another candidate in your place. The damage to the reputation of the council is immeasureable in my opinion and now maybe some of the other **** takers running around the county fulfilling their own greedy desires in the guise of serving the people of this county will actually knuckle down and serve us as they were elected to do instead of trying to further their own political aims and financial goals.
What a shame that any good work you have done over the years will be forgotten by the masses and you will be remembered for all of these negative things that have surely ended your career for good.
I will leave now, thank you, thank you very much.
Elvis
"I am a simple man and try to do my very best and sometimes lost my cool - probably no different to most."
Fair enough Brian, we all lose our cool from time to time but you are a public figure and threatening to have someone's arms and legs broken and inferring they would be murdered if they ever went to Ireland is extreme violence, not just saying something in your temper.
"I made what I accept were some very stupid comments to a BBC TV reporter and I deeply regret them comments."
It appears now that you agree that you made these comments after "losing your cool" NOT "in jest" so you obviously LIED to the Standards Committee, your colleagues and the people of this county whilst trying to save your own neck.
"You will all know the Standards Committee decided that I had not brought the Council into disrepute. You would not think so if you had read the local press and various websites recently five weeks on."
You got off on a legal technicality because the Standards Committee didn't have the guts to rule against you on a point of law. All normal people in this county and indeed anywhere else would agree that if you claimed travelling expenses to get to that meeting then you were there on official council business - it's that simple and an insult to our intelligence to suggest otherwise via an expensive lawyer. Some of us still abide by common sense when making simple judgements and don't have the money to hire fancy lawyers.
"My commitment is to the people of the county and this Council"
If you were truly committed to the people of this county then you would NOT have made the decision to decrease the readiness of our last 24 hour cover firefighting service in this county and then try to insult our intelligence even further by trying to make us believe that it was actually an improvement and in our best interests. Obviously all of the firefighters themselves along with the massive majority of people in this county have missed something that only you are privy to. You obviously know best.....
"and I have driven thousands of miles on this behalf."
Yes, at half a quid per mile I'm sure you made a tidy little profit out of it all too. And the biggest bone of contention for me personally wasn't your threat against the BBC reporter, it was the fabrication of miles travelled and claimed for, for which there is much evidence and the claiming of expenses from both the Fire Authority and the County Council for travelling to and attending the same meeting.
THIS WAS PURE GREED and probably the main contribution to your downfall because that's what left the people in this county feeling personally ripped off by you.
"I have been falsely accused of all sorts of criminal offences by certain individuals and I've been investigated by the District Auditor, the Ombudsman, the local police and the Fraud Squad and uncle Tom Cobley and all, and I've been cleared of any offences.
The District Auditor assured the police that no crime had been committed. If you had been PROPERLY investigated then any amount of fraudulent expenses claims might have turned up. Cllr Mike Stoddart has published several specific items on his website that he has found so if they are false accusations why haven't you sued these people? The answer is of course there is substantial evidence available that proves the accusations are
TRUE.
"I've had enough of it and I'm not going to take it any more. So that there is no doubt in anyone's mind, I have made a decision."
The feeling is definately mutual Cllr Hall. We've had enough of you and your greed and this has proved to be your downfall, not your temper.
"I gave the Chief Exec a letter revoking my right to claim travelling expenses and will not be claiming such expenses for the rest of the term of this council."
I should imagine that you are well in credit and won't suffer too much loss.
"I've also given a conversation to the Leader and I've told him that I intend to resign from the Mid and West Wales Fire Authority, resign is not the right word, I would say, retire from the Mid and West Wales Fire Authority immediately my term of office as chairman finishes shortly. I have asked the leader to decide on my replacement on the Fire Authority."
No, resign is a GOOD word Cllr Hall, but do it with immediate effect. Of course, this is of no real consequence as the damage has already been done in this department and it will be remembered as one of your finest moments - NOT!
"Bearing in mind initially this week nearly all the Independent members told me that they supported me, regrettably some of them say one thing and do another."
You were obviously in very good company by the sounds of it. I only wish that this group of yes-men(and women) had been forced into an open vote to get rid of you so that we could see all of them in their true colours.
I really believe that the people of this county will be better served by another candidate in your place. The damage to the reputation of the council is immeasureable in my opinion and now maybe some of the other **** takers running around the county fulfilling their own greedy desires in the guise of serving the people of this county will actually knuckle down and serve us as they were elected to do instead of trying to further their own political aims and financial goals.
What a shame that any good work you have done over the years will be forgotten by the masses and you will be remembered for all of these negative things that have surely ended your career for good.
I will leave now, thank you, thank you very much.
Elvis
Posted by: Tim McMahon, Pennar on 12:19pm Sat 3 Mar 07
If indeed Mr.Hall honestly beleives it a deliberate campaign against him then now he knows a little of what it is like to 'have the boot' on the other foot.However he has,albeit too late,at least apoligised for the remarks he levelled at the BBC journalist which does not erase the other vital damaging issues which were his downfall.
If indeed Mr.Hall honestly beleives it a deliberate campaign against him then now he knows a little of what it is like to 'have the boot' on the other foot.However he has,albeit too late,at least apoligised for the remarks he levelled at the BBC journalist which does not erase the other vital damaging issues which were his downfall.
Posted by: mike, 'pembroke dock on 4:05pm Sat 3 Mar 07
Mr Hall you said you are simple, but being simple is no excuse for stealing money from the people of Pembrokeshire. You also say you've had enough, so have we, please do the right thing and stand down as councillor. We don't need your type giving Pembrokeshire a bad name.
Mr Hall you said you are simple, but being simple is no excuse for stealing money from the people of Pembrokeshire. You also say you've had enough, so have we, please do the right thing and stand down as councillor. We don't need your type giving Pembrokeshire a bad name.
Posted by: Martin Lewis, Neyland on 8:34pm Sat 3 Mar 07
Old Grumpy has posted an extra column on his website this week. Check out [bold]www.oldgrumpy.co.uk[/bold] for the true story of last Thursday's goings on.
Where are all of Brian Hall's supporters hiding since Thursday? If there [italic]has been[/italic] a "relentless campaign" against him it has been easily justified. It's no coincidence that no other county counciller has suffered such a campaign isn't it?
What a great day for Pembrokeshire politics thanks in large part to Mike Stoddart! Thanks Mike!
Old Grumpy has posted an extra column on his website this week. Check out
www.oldgrumpy.co.uk for the true story of last Thursday's goings on.
Where are all of Brian Hall's supporters hiding since Thursday? If there
has been a "relentless campaign" against him it has been easily justified. It's no coincidence that no other county counciller has suffered such a campaign isn't it?
What a great day for Pembrokeshire politics thanks in large part to Mike Stoddart! Thanks Mike!
Posted by: Susan on 9:24pm Sat 3 Mar 07
I just hope that the residents of Market ward are not silly enough to vote him in again come the next elections (or any of his supporters).
I just hope that the residents of Market ward are not silly enough to vote him in again come the next elections (or any of his supporters).
Posted by: Danny Thomas, Angle on 10:44am Sun 4 Mar 07
I bet Squirehouse is now qualking in his boots! Its like the last days of the Ceucescu reign in Romania! Out with all of the lying, self-serving swines!
I bet Squirehouse is now qualking in his boots! Its like the last days of the Ceucescu reign in Romania! Out with all of the lying, self-serving swines!
Posted by: Susan on 12:03pm Sun 4 Mar 07
[quote][bold]Danny Thomas[/bold] wrote:
I bet Squirehouse is now qualking in his boots! Its like the last days of the Ceucescu reign in Romania! Out with all of the lying, self-serving swines!
[/quote] Don't hold your breath.
Danny Thomas wrote:
I bet Squirehouse is now qualking in his boots! Its like the last days of the Ceucescu reign in Romania! Out with all of the lying, self-serving swines!
Don't hold your breath.
Posted by: Walter, Pembroke Dock on 1:22pm Sun 4 Mar 07
Squirehouse has a massive skeleton in his closet !!
I think you all should go and read a few back pages on old Grumpys site ??? He's another Fat Pig feeding from the trough !!!!! Hows the planning applications going Squirehouse ??
Squirehouse has a massive skeleton in his closet !!
I think you all should go and read a few back pages on old Grumpys site ??? He's another Fat Pig feeding from the trough !!!!! Hows the planning applications going Squirehouse ??
Posted by: Susan on 3:48pm Sun 4 Mar 07
[quote][bold]Walter[/bold] wrote:
Squirehouse has a massive skeleton in his closet !!
I think you all should go and read a few back pages on old Grumpys site ??? He's another Fat Pig feeding from the trough !!!!! Hows the planning applications going Squirehouse ??[/quote] Oh go on tell us what it is!
Walter wrote:
Squirehouse has a massive skeleton in his closet !!
I think you all should go and read a few back pages on old Grumpys site ??? He's another Fat Pig feeding from the trough !!!!! Hows the planning applications going Squirehouse ??
Oh go on tell us what it is!
Posted by: Ben Ando, Pembroke on 4:05pm Sun 4 Mar 07
Martin Lewis is right. I mentioned the following on another post (isn't Brian using up those column inches):
Brian Hall was the very animal we deserve in Pembrokeshire. None of us can claim credit for his demise. Quite the opposite. We allow him and his kind to exist. What is it? Apathy? Ignorance? Laziness? I think it is something else...
It is not exaggerating to say that were it not for Mike Stoddart Brian would still be at his post. Pure and dedicated investigative journalism is not what you'll find in the WT, sadly. But it is something Stoddart contributes. If we had ten more journalists like him in our county, we would have a more accountable council. It's that simple. Demand more from your local journos... and go and vote while you're at it.
Martin Lewis is right. I mentioned the following on another post (isn't Brian using up those column inches):
Brian Hall was the very animal we deserve in Pembrokeshire. None of us can claim credit for his demise. Quite the opposite. We allow him and his kind to exist. What is it? Apathy? Ignorance? Laziness? I think it is something else...
It is not exaggerating to say that were it not for Mike Stoddart Brian would still be at his post. Pure and dedicated investigative journalism is not what you'll find in the WT, sadly. But it is something Stoddart contributes. If we had ten more journalists like him in our county, we would have a more accountable council. It's that simple. Demand more from your local journos... and go and vote while you're at it.
Posted by: Ben Ando, Pembroke on 4:15pm Sun 4 Mar 07
Apologies to my hosts at the Western Telegraph for the frank remarks, by the way.
Apologies to my hosts at the Western Telegraph for the frank remarks, by the way.
Posted by: walter, Pembroke Dock on 5:56pm Sun 4 Mar 07
Susan,
Go and check out for yourself, Its in really big paragraphs.
Susan,
Go and check out for yourself, Its in really big paragraphs.
Posted by: Walter, Pembroke Dock on 6:08pm Sun 4 Mar 07
Check out 3rd October 2006 titled Self Selecting, and October 24 2006 titled Barn dance.
Once again, another bad apple in the Pembs Council, You have to hand it to old grumpy, he doesn't miss much. Our County council is turning into a laughing stock, along the lines of the Manorbier community council.
Check out 3rd October 2006 titled Self Selecting, and October 24 2006 titled Barn dance.
Once again, another bad apple in the Pembs Council, You have to hand it to old grumpy, he doesn't miss much. Our County council is turning into a laughing stock, along the lines of the Manorbier community council.
Posted by: Susan on 6:40pm Sun 4 Mar 07
[quote][bold]Walter[/bold] wrote:
Squirehouse has a massive skeleton in his closet !!
I think you all should go and read a few back pages on old Grumpys site ??? He's another Fat Pig feeding from the trough !!!!! Hows the planning applications going Squirehouse ??[/quote] The village certainly seems to be expanding ever onwards towards the beach.
Walter wrote:
Squirehouse has a massive skeleton in his closet !!
I think you all should go and read a few back pages on old Grumpys site ??? He's another Fat Pig feeding from the trough !!!!! Hows the planning applications going Squirehouse ??
The village certainly seems to be expanding ever onwards towards the beach.
Posted by: Martin Lewis, Neyland on 6:12pm Mon 5 Mar 07
[quote][bold]Susan[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Danny Thomas[/bold] wrote: I bet Squirehouse is now qualking in his boots! Its like the last days of the Ceucescu reign in Romania! Out with all of the lying, self-serving swines! [/quote] Don't hold your breath.[/quote] Don't hold your breath...............that's what they said about calls for Brian Hall to resign!
Lots of things are possible when people stick together!
Susan wrote:
Danny Thomas wrote: I bet Squirehouse is now qualking in his boots! Its like the last days of the Ceucescu reign in Romania! Out with all of the lying, self-serving swines!
Don't hold your breath.
Don't hold your breath...............that's what they said about calls for Brian Hall to resign!
Lots of things are possible when people stick together!
Posted by: the Man, Pembroke on 10:09pm Mon 5 Mar 07
Well what a mess
Posted by: The Man on 10:11pm Mon 5 Mar 07
Mike Stoddart! Whats in his closet???
Mike Stoddart! Whats in his closet???
Posted by: Martin Lewis, Neyland on 3:41pm Sat 10 Mar 07
A massive mountain of accumulated evidence against Brian Hall??????
A massive mountain of accumulated evidence against Brian Hall??????
Posted by: Young Grumpy, Pembroke Dock on 12:51pm Wed 14 Mar 07
Probably a mirror so he can fawn over himself when his little hangers on aren't there. Patronising, arrogant, boring bloke. And thats not even beginning to mention all his little friends that rub his ego. Makes me shudder.
Probably a mirror so he can fawn over himself when his little hangers on aren't there. Patronising, arrogant, boring bloke. And thats not even beginning to mention all his little friends that rub his ego. Makes me shudder.
Posted by: rob, penally on 3:35pm Wed 5 Mar 08
Tolerating what must have been toe curling meetings over the last five years is final vindication for the efforts of mike S’, if any were needed.
Wonder how the curved, (ex T .Grange & his minion), licensing dept’ would stand up under the same scrutiny?
Tolerating what must have been toe curling meetings over the last five years is final vindication for the efforts of mike S’, if any were needed.
Wonder how the curved, (ex T .Grange & his minion), licensing dept’ would stand up under the same scrutiny?
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