Calls for Tony Woods to pay £3,600 Astragate bill
Campaigners say the former leader of Northampton Borough Council should repay the cost of an investigation into his behaviour.
In October, Councillor Tony Woods (Lib Dem, Boughton Green) was ordered to make a public apology following an investigation into his decision to leave his untaxed Vauxhall Astra in the Guildhall's underground car park for more than three months.
The former leader resigned from his position shortly after the hearing, labelling the so-called Astragate affair "nine months of hell".
But now, political campaigners have used the Freedom of Information Act to find out the investigation into Councillor Woods' behaviour cost 3,594.
Sheltered housing campaigner, Teddy McNabb, who uncovered the figure, said the councillor should now repay the balance.
He said: "Why should the public pay for the serious mistakes and misjudgements of elected politicians? All he ever had to do was do the sensible thing and move the car."
The leader of the opposition at the Guildhall, Councillor David Palethorpe (Con, Billing) agreed the matter should never have reached the point where an investigation was needed.
He said: "It's staggering something so pointless, and entirely avoidable, should have cost the tax payer so much money. The Astragate scandal was a very costly embarrassment for the Liberal Democrats."
But Councillor Woods condemned attempts to drag out of the affair.
He said: "Everyone knows the matter was blown out of all proportion for political purposes. It was a waste of public money, time and effort over an issue where I had publicly apologised and, even my opponents admitted, there was absolutely no dishonesty.
"Now people are wasting yet more time and council resources putting in freedom of information requests. I have stepped down as leader of the council. The case is closed."
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