Wirral whistleblower tells the Globe why he did it

2:19pm Wednesday 30th September 2009 in News Exclusive By Justin Dunn

WHISTLEBLOWER: Martin Morton acted out of frustration WHISTLEBLOWER: Martin Morton acted out of frustration

The whistleblower who claims Wirral Council systematically overcharged vulnerable adults in its care for years agreed to be named to explain why he has spent eight years trying to force the authority to “take responsibility” and admit its mistakes.

Martin Morton, the former supported living development officer for the borough’s social services department, says he is “disgusted” that the council only last week conceded that it did owe more than £100,000 to care residents - despite previously insisting it did not.

“We were constantly being told by senior officers that we needed ‘to be the voice of the otherwise excluded’ - but when I tried to be just that they ignored me,” said Martin. “It is just rhetoric.

“The problem is they don’t like an oik like me pointing out a problem because they always have to know best. But they didn’t know best. And the longer this is dragged out, the more damage they do to the local authority.”

He insisted: “This is not about me - it’s about doing the right thing by the very people the council is there to care for.”

In a speech to council last week, Martin explained that his treatment by bosses led such great stress that he had to be hospitalised.

The council has said it will send a letter of apology to Martin. It has also launched a separate investigation into alleged bullying.

Comments(76)

Spiffy says...
6:08pm Wed 30 Sep 09

............my post has disappeared.
It definitely did not contain an insult.........woss goin on ?

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messengerpigeon says...
10:06pm Wed 30 Sep 09

Principles over pragmatism.

Stephen Hesford’s resignation as PPS to the Law Officers is either a brave and principled decision or a cynical attempt to improve his chances of being MP for West Wirral after the next general election.

It is a sad reflection of the state of British politics that I would even think anyone could be that devious. However I would like to give Mr Hesford the benefit of the doubt and applaud his decision. If only our Wirral Council’s management team would take the same course of action! Not because of another’s lack of principles but in response to their own! Martin Moreton’s tragic circumstances reflect the appalling non-accountability and complete lack of open government that pervades Wirral Council. They have wasted £millions on ‘hair brained ‘schemes, then cut essential services and personnel to balance the dubious books!
I for one would like a complete and INDEPENDENT PUBLIC audit of this Wirral Council’s finances since they have been in power. If they want our trust, then they now need to come clean about their management of our community’s affairs and finances. If they are found to be less than diligent or have questionable financial practices, then they should resign. If they are shown to be a lot better than we so far believe; then I will be happy to apologise for doubting them; but somehow I don’t think that will be necessary!
Clive McLaren Hoylake.

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MX says...
10:34pm Wed 30 Sep 09

Yes Mr.McLaren .there has been a terrible waste of public money and particularly in this case.From reading the Internal Audit report (and believe me it's an ordeal in itself) it isn't just about overcharging it is about not making legitimate charges which amounted to hundreds of thousands of pounds lost to the Council and furthermore this was just the tip of the iceberg because
the report didn't include all the services it should have (and we need to ask ourselves why ) so potentially this could add up to millions.
I really can't understand why someone who wanted to save the Council money and protect vulnerable people from financial abuse would be hounded out of their job (and so viciously by the sounds of it).I understand this will be subject to yet another investigation (and yet more waste of money- a waste in the sense it shouldn't have come to that).Who will be undertaking this investigation? (please not another internal cover-up).Will Mr.Morton be interviewed, if so he needs to name and shame everyone involved ( or failing that tell the Globe ?)

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slumdog says...
1:09am Thu 1 Oct 09

Martin, you take your time, and do things at your own pace. If I see you in a pub, I'll put one in the tap for you, but I wont bother you. Seriously, I admire wht you'vr done!

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hugo2008 says...
8:25am Thu 1 Oct 09

I dearly hope this issue will go the distance and we can bring to book the unwanted parasites that at present hold what they think a re safe secure positions with feather bedded pensions. The guilty ones need to be exposed and removed go for it Martin Moreton you have a world of support just waiting to give you the means to see this issue right through to the end. Good Luck and Good Health

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hugo2008 says...
8:49am Thu 1 Oct 09

Hey "Spiffy" I have noticed some discrepancies with posts that seem to evaporate.
One thing is certain some sort of censorship seems to lurk in the background, I don't think its sinister, maybe just precautionary for legal reasons. I do hope so.

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Leigh Marles says...
12:07pm Thu 1 Oct 09

Dear all...

We've had a bit of a techno problem with the website in recent days. Unfortunately, a batch of comments on various stories disappeared into the ether.
Hopefully, it's back to normal now.

I have not deleted or censored any of your comments.

Cheers.

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hugo2008 says...
12:30pm Thu 1 Oct 09

Clean out and Clear out the useless Council members who gave whole hearted support to this whole sorry mess.
Roll on the elections, when we have a chance to eradicate the parasites that infest our community life.

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Maura Reynolds says...
1:20pm Thu 1 Oct 09

Leigh,
Glad to hear that the censorship is just paranoia. I thought for a minute that your contract to produce the Wirral Council Newspaper was under threat..
Goodm

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Spiffy says...
2:51pm Thu 1 Oct 09

hugo2008 wrote:
Hey "Spiffy" I have noticed some discrepancies with posts that seem to evaporate.
One thing is certain some sort of censorship seems to lurk in the background, I don't think its sinister, maybe just precautionary for legal reasons. I do hope so.
I have my thoughts on why another of my posts was deleted but its of no concern. However, its a bit baffling that this one went although I have noticed some technical glitches with the website in the last 24 hours so perhaps thats it. A glitch and no more.
...................
The post here was congratulatory to Mr Morton. I believe the man deserves a medal for what he has done for the vulnerable people of wirral.
The entire scandal should be blown wide open with those neck deep in it publicly named shamed and sacked immediately.

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Spiffy says...
2:52pm Thu 1 Oct 09

Leigh Marles wrote:
Dear all...

We've had a bit of a techno problem with the website in recent days. Unfortunately, a batch of comments on various stories disappeared into the ether.
Hopefully, it's back to normal now.

I have not deleted or censored any of your comments.

Cheers.
So can we post them again then ?
..............
Just kidding...

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Veridici says...
7:19pm Thu 1 Oct 09

We might not be able to arrange a medal for Martin Morton, but we CAN vote him our community hero 2009 - see

http://areallyrotten
borough.blogspot.com
/2009/09/wirrals-cha
mpion-2009.html

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Spiffy says...
7:51pm Thu 1 Oct 09

Thanks for the link Verdici I've just done my nomination for him. I'll pass the link around.

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Veridici says...
7:57pm Thu 1 Oct 09

That's great Spiffy. People power can do it.

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piggymalone says...
9:29pm Thu 1 Oct 09

Heres another link for you.
Its a FOI question posed to MBW asking for the cost of investigating employee A and B at the heart of this affair. Would you believe it cost us £14,700 to employ an employment consultant. And according to Veridici they lied about who did the consultation as well
http://www.whatdothe
yknow.com/request/co
st_of_investigation_
and_discip#outgoing-
35583
Hope you dont mind me mentioning that fact Veridici. Bye the way, couldnt agree more about people power

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Jayo says...
9:30pm Thu 1 Oct 09

I heard the only reason the MP expenses came to light was because they hired soldiers as security who were on annual leave. As they knew the explosive nature of the claims and didn't want them getting revealed before the black marker pen had seen then first. The whistle blower was so disgusted at the range of goods the MPs claimed for and off duty soldiers had to work during holidays to pay for extra kit.
Whistle blowers are not snitches they are doing a public service and we can only hope more public servants can find the courage to expose wrong doing and corruption.

*****

Well done Mr Morton you are the type of public servant this borough needs.

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MX says...
9:55pm Thu 1 Oct 09

Totally agree with you Jayo.
This guy was trying to protect vulnerable people and the public purse.He should get his job back (what is he doing now - does anybody know?)

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Veridici says...
10:21pm Thu 1 Oct 09

No probs piggymalone. As I stated I had that info on very good authority. Good to see the requestor isn't letting it rest, isn't it?

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Spiffy says...
11:12pm Thu 1 Oct 09

Just read the FOI request and follow-ups. Note the dodge on legal costs by saying they weren't seperate as done in-house by council employees. It still cost Something.
Not like they actually work for free is it.

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piggymalone says...
11:55pm Thu 1 Oct 09

Spiffy, very interesting site is What do the know.com....if you look through all the other FOI`s you will see tha MBW are very good at "skirting" round answers and using the 18 hour rule of collating the data to hopefully put people off. However if you the scan the same site for Merseyside Police, they are even better experts than MBW for refusing to answer questions.
To answer Veridici, yes some people have to keep hounding the authorities to get the answer they require.
Whilst we are on the subject if anyone wants to pose an FOI question to any authotity the best and simplest way to do it is on line at www.whatdotheyknow.c
om as the site automatically follows up late answers and reminds posters of incomming answers etc. Dead easy to follow up and keep track of your questions. Have a go, and keep the authorities on their toes by asking pertinent questions

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Goodm says...
7:53pm Fri 2 Oct 09

It's fantastic how all you good people are keeping up the pressure. It's exausting, isn't it? Can you imagine what it would be like to keep it going for nine years. Our Hero, Martin, and his family know exactly what that is like.
TO....The Department of Inhuman Resources, The two reinstated persons, The Director of SS, The Drector of Law, The Auditors and all the other sad people..............
.have a nice weekend.
By the way Martin did you get lots of help from the union, UNISON?

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whitlow rebels says...
8:46pm Fri 2 Oct 09

To Goodm,West
I totally support your views.
UNISON are just an earpiece of this corrupt council. This is borne out by the recent job evaluation WBC had to undertake. Lo and behold these so called representatives have had upgrades on their salaries to suppress Mr Mortons allegations of harassment and bullying.
We must all fight on to get justice for Martin Morton and also for these vulnerable people who have been swindled by the council.

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MX says...
8:56pm Fri 2 Oct 09

Good point Goodm.I would have thought this would have been meat and potatoes for the Union (anti-bullying,equal
ity,protecting the vulnerable,fighting for peoples rights).or am I being hopelessly naive?.
However they don't seem to be involved as there hasn't been any statements in support of this mans plight.Perhaps Mr.Morton wasn't in a Union.He doesn't appear to have had any support until Cllr.Mountney came along and this became publicly exposed.It would appear he has plenty of support now though!.My view is that this support is the only way we will get the full story.What I've read so far is mind-boggling and I'm lead to believe from various postings there's a lot more to come.

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Veridici says...
10:41am Sat 3 Oct 09

Willow Sherbet, where are you? We want to know how you're getting on about setting up the fighting fund. Every day that passes means more rubbish can be piled on top of this. At first it was Hesford's resignation, then Foulkes' dramatic announcement, now Chapman with an extension to the libraries' review. Eagle has remained tight-lipped.

POLITICIANS WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE. There are huge problems right on your doorstep. Show you care about the most vulnerable of your constituents.


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Veridici says...
10:47am Sat 3 Oct 09

Mx and Goodm, d'you know I hadn't even thought about the union involvement - or lack of it.

I would have thought Mr Morton would have been a member of UNISON, and that seems to be borne out by whitlow rebel's statement that the representatives concerned have benefitted financially from suppressing his allegations.

They probably don't realise that they are deemed 'public officers' under the law, and can therefore be prosecuted for 'Misconduct in Public Office' - a crime that carries a maximum of LIFE IMPRISONMENT.

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Marleys Ghost says...
11:58am Sat 3 Oct 09

I find the timing of the repeal of the library closures most convenient for the council. Although this is undoubtedly good news, Wirral Council have clearly used the timing of this announcement in an attempt to hide the story of the whistleblower and the exposure of the bullying he suffered. How sadly typical of this council that they should cynically manipulate information in this way. The truth is finally coming out and it is time for a change!

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MX says...
3:20pm Sat 3 Oct 09

Whitlow Rebels wrote:"Lo and behold these so called (Unison) representatives have had upgrades on their salaries to suppress Mr Mortons allegations of harassment and bullying".
How do we get the evidence of this? .Can we request under FOI details of upgrades.This seems to be getting sleazier by the minute.What the hell is going on?.


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Veridici says...
3:27pm Sat 3 Oct 09

Dunno Mx, I just looked on the What do they know site but it's not in their list. Maybe you have to contact Unison's information manager direct?

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MX says...
4:04pm Sat 3 Oct 09

Surely this needs a proper investigation and not be reliant on concerned members of the public wheedling information out of various organisations by an assortment of means.
The most senior Council officers,Councillors
, unions are implicated in this.I remember Cllr.Mountney saying the other week about "closing ranks".Is something Masonic going on?

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bigfoot says...
8:34pm Sat 3 Oct 09

whitlow rebels wrote:
To Goodm,West I totally support your views. UNISON are just an earpiece of this corrupt council. This is borne out by the recent job evaluation WBC had to undertake. Lo and behold these so called representatives have had upgrades on their salaries to suppress Mr Mortons allegations of harassment and bullying. We must all fight on to get justice for Martin Morton and also for these vulnerable people who have been swindled by the council.
In the past there have been cases of 'poachers becoming gamekeepers'.
Union members subs have paid for the training of reps in personnel issues and then they go over to the other side!!!

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Goodm says...
10:29am Sun 4 Oct 09

To 'Bigfoot' are you sure? I know that the unions trade with senior managers and councillors but to deliberately damage one of their paid up members is sick. They must have lost sight of the fact that the members ARE the union.
I'm getting so cross at all these bad people that I'm loosing sight of the main issue, which is, the abuse of power and the protection of vulnerable people. The abuse is not limited to the residents in Moreton but also to the betrayal of the trust families place in SS to look after their son, daughter, sister, brother. Do you think this 'Situation' has gone unnoticed by those families and other families in the borough? I can assure you it has not. A lot of work will need to be done to limit the damage or many elderly parents will live their remaining days full of fear for the wellbeing of their loved one.
I'm not much good on banking, mind you, who is these days? I digress, sorry. If an account was opened called 'Whistleblower' and the account number published could we all just send deposits? Any bankers out there? If a name is needed you can use mine.
We can do this Martin.

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Veridici says...
2:03pm Sun 4 Oct 09

GoodM, in the previous threat someone called Willow Sherbet said they had already contacted the Editor about setting up a fund. I've been hoping they will come onto this thread and let us know what the situation is.

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FatherTed says...
5:13pm Sun 4 Oct 09

When is the bullying investigation supposed to start? I only ask as I've just been told that the guy who runs the department being investigated (is it John Webb??) has swanned off on his holidays. Is it a co-incidence, or its been suggested he's on something called gardning leave? Is he on his way out do you think?

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MX says...
6:15pm Sun 4 Oct 09

Weren't two officers suspended in relation to this case and then returned to work with their reputations intact.Was Webb one of them?.
It seems to me that the message of this case is perfectly clear.If you speak up you will be hounded out of your job.This is a terrible situation for the people of Wirral,especially vulnerable people because this basically amounts to "An Abusers Charter".What hope is there if staff know about abuse but don't do anything about it in case they lose their job?.
And what is really scary is Social Services where so determined to shut this man up thhe ended up in hospital.
This is a Social Services Department!,if they don't give a **** about their staff they sure as hell don't give a **** about the people they are there to serve.Despicable.Is no-one going to be held responsible for this scandal?

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FatherTed says...
7:14pm Sun 4 Oct 09

I really hope the people responsible are held responsible Mx, its wrong that the one person that did the right thing is the only person to suffer. If the others had anything about them they'd go now but alot of people just think they'll get away with things these days. Perhaps the council will get it right this time or am I being too hopeful. Your right to say if they don't care about the staff they sure as eggs is eggs don't care about those poor people they stole off.

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piggymalone says...
7:14pm Sun 4 Oct 09

John Webb was not one of the suspended and subsequently re-instated officers. John Webb is actually the director of social services and was not in post during the "rip off years" However I wouldnt mind betting he will only be in position for another couple of years. If you look at the history of directors of social service of Wirral Council, they dont last long. I believe that they are forced to impose swingeing cuts on their own department and their position then becomes untenable. I have had dealings with the department over 20 years and I can remember 6 directors (I think)over that 20 years. You dont have to be too much of a maths expert to work out a rough ratio. Not good for the morale of a department

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Natasha Eubank says...
8:06pm Sun 4 Oct 09

Whilst John Webb was not in post when individual council officers (Assistant Director of DASS, Head of DASS Finance) decided to financially abuse people with learning disabilities, he was certainly complicit in the subsequent cover-up. To my mind, this speaks volumes about his character. Do we really want a man (who, by the way, earns £110,000 PA) like this responsible for the care of vulnerable people? I know I don't.

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MX says...
8:18pm Sun 4 Oct 09

Webb wasn't in post as Director but he worked for Social Services during the "rip-off years" and must of known about was going on .Why else did he authorise paying off the whistleblower (when he was Director) rather than deal with the issue?.
A couple of other things - I have it on good authority that Mr.Webb had the opportunity to brief Councillors about the whistleblower and described him as " a troublemaker".Cllr.H
olbrook euphemistically stated that he had been advised that the "whistleblower" was not a "good witness" so I presume he was one of the Councillors who were privileged enough to have Mr.Webb's insight into the situation.
I'm sorry but Mr.Morton quite clearly isn't any such thing .If he was why would the Council issue an apology?.
The other thing which I find puzzling is the issue of Balls Rd which is referred to in various minutes by Mr.Webb and on which he admits to being "mistaken"."Mistaken
" about what? .This is another can of worms by the sound of it. Somebody pass me the tin-opener this is going to end up being much more than the
£ 400,000 liability they've admitted so far (£100,000 -unlawful charge and £300,000 they failed to collect).
No wonder they wanted to shut Mr.Morton up!.

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Veridici says...
8:39pm Sun 4 Oct 09

Natasha, Webb was Miller's right hand man and definitely was there in what you call the rip-off years. Of course he knew all about it and he had to behind the coverup.

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Veridici says...
8:46pm Sun 4 Oct 09

Sorry Natasha, that last should have been addressed to piggymalone.

Also sorry Mx I had mine all ready to send before you posted and got distracted.

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MX says...
9:26pm Sun 4 Oct 09

Distracted by what Veridici? (great nom de guerre by the way- had to look it up!).
The SAR?,buildings on fire?,please don't tell me it was The X Factor!.

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Veridici says...
9:52pm Sun 4 Oct 09

lol @ Mx. I was distracted by an article I found online. It says:
"Our approach must be one of working transparently"
"I have high expectations of myself and all people who work in the public sector"
"Our support of people must respect their individual circumstances and must ensure people stay in control of their lives."
Guess who said those things in 2007.

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MX says...
10:00pm Sun 4 Oct 09

It can't be surely?.....
By the way just to reassure thse of a delicate disposition the four-letter word that was censored in a previous posting began with d and ended in n and rhymed with ham.I am reassured that the Globe is concerned with standards and decorum.If only the Council would do the same!

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piggymalone says...
12:13am Mon 5 Oct 09

Veridici....I wasnt supporting John Webb but answering MX`s question.

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Veridici says...
9:12am Mon 5 Oct 09

It could indeed, Mx, it could indeed.

http://www.wirral.go
v.uk/News/Archive/20
0710/news_0000401.ht
ml

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Veridici says...
9:12am Mon 5 Oct 09

It could indeed, Mx, it could indeed.

http://www.wirral.go
v.uk/News/Archive/20
0710/news_0000401.ht
ml

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Veridici says...
9:13am Mon 5 Oct 09

Sorry piggymalone, I didn't intend it come out as a criticism. It's all very emotive.

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Veridici says...
9:16am Mon 5 Oct 09

Now how did that double post happen? Not guilty, m'lords!

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Goodm says...
4:56pm Mon 5 Oct 09

l This week will someone pleeeeeeeeeease explain:how, where and who is handling the enquiry into the bullying of Martin Morton. That good man, Cllr.Mountney, did his best to make sure Martin got the promise, at least, of an apology. However, what is really needed here is accountability. Who did it? Who lied about Martin, who called him untrustworthy, who isolated him, how many departments were involved in this. Which private care providers tried to destroy him so that they could continue to milk the system and who were the incompetent senior officers that accomodated the milking?
So much wrong has been done here, none of it by Martin, he is the only one who has been made to suffer. The previous director Kevin Miller slithered off into the dark without a thought of the harm done to Martin and his family, seemingly, leaving behind a culture willing to continue his work.
Employment law must come into play here. Constructive Dismissal? Come on UNISON have the bottle to answer that one.

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MX says...
6:04pm Mon 5 Oct 09

The message for all the people of Wirral seems to be:
Honesty,integrity,co
mmitment will be punished.
Dishonesty,duplicity and incompetence will be rewarded.
Is it any wonder that Wirral is dying a slow and painful death?.Talking of which ,I had the unfortunate experience of finding myself in Grange Rd on Saturday. Dereliction and decay was all around.Depressing like 1970's Eastern Bloc with added litter.

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glenn, moreton says...
7:43pm Mon 5 Oct 09

If Mr Morton wants to hold the people responsible to account he must go to the police and tell them to make an investigation, otherwise this will all have been for nothing and the guilty ones will escape without punishment.

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TheLooseCannon says...
7:59pm Mon 5 Oct 09

Goodm, it's not just the system that those particular private care providers have milked. They've taken thousands of pounds from the vulnerable adults in their 'care'. That's how they made their millions.

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MX says...
8:27pm Mon 5 Oct 09

Glenn,you quite rightly refer to bringing in the police in this case.However I'm minded to recall the final scene of a film I recently watched called "Chinatown" ( starring Jack Nicholson/Faye Dunaway.Main theme -"Living with shameless people in a shameless world"and would advise Mr.Morton :
"Forget it Martin,it's Wirral Council" .
Indeed the whole film resonates with this case: corruption,cover-ups
,injustice,self-inte
rest,greed and abuse .
Thoroughly recommended but not if you've had a bad day at the office!.

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Goodm says...
9:26pm Mon 5 Oct 09

Glenn, do you believe the police would listen? I think the police of Birkenhead were involved with complaints, from staff, about abuse, including financial abuse in the private 'care' sector. The police, I was given to understand, sided with the money. I am sure some of the saff are still available to give evidence should they have a change of heart.

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TheLooseCannon says...
8:19am Tue 6 Oct 09

Goodm, you are absolutely correct. Merseyside Police was certainly involved in an investigation into the private care provider.

According to the investigating officer - a detective constable (!) - relevant DASS documentation was 'missing'.

The private care provider claimed when questioned under oath that he was "only doing the same as the Council" - an enigmatic statement, the meaning of which has become clear in the last month.

Is doing something because someone else does it a reasonable defence in law? Not in my book.

It seems senior police officer/s did not even allow the case to go to the CPS, so an individual calling in the police doesn't seem to be an option.

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heather cuffe says...
8:43am Tue 6 Oct 09

Kevin Miller, John Webb, the 2 suspended and re-instated officers, other bullies in the department, private sector care providers, the police, internal audit, the audit commission,and anyone else involved this sordid affair should be investigated, exposed for what they are and sacked. What has come out at council meetings is only the tip of the iceberg. Martin is a hero but he and his wife have paid a high personal price. Full expose required....when is the book coming out?!

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Goodm says...
9:19am Tue 6 Oct 09

The Book?....... Look out Dan Brown. Your most recent bestseller 'The Lost Symbol' is nowhere near as scary as Wirral DSS where truth, honesty, care and dare I say it, love,(God forbid that we should feel anything so crass for service users.) are a lost cause with many of our senior managers. There are managers, team leaders and frontline staff who care deeply about services. They must be so discouraged by all of this.
Write the book Martin, it will become essential reading for Social Workers, Politicians, Commissioners, and so on.

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glenn, moreton says...
9:26am Tue 6 Oct 09

Do i think the police will do anything? They will have to do something - it's fraud. If they turn a blind eye then they will be slaughtered by the public as it would be a high profile case. The right thing to do is to report it as a crime and then Mr Morton can feel happy that he has done everything possible to bring the perpetrators to justice. It's then up to the police to do their job and we will all eagerly await the outcome. (if mr Morton is reading this then if you need any support contact mail@residents-allia
nce.org and we will do all we can to help)

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TheLooseCannon says...
10:53am Tue 6 Oct 09

Is forgery a crime? Reported to Merseyside Police complete with evidence.

Is fraud a crime? Reported to Merseyside Police complete with evidence.

Is creating a bank account in a third party's name without their knowledge a crime? No.

Is using such a bank account a crime? Yes. Reported to Merseyside Police complete with evidence.

Is obtaining a vulnerable person's signature under false pretences, duress, or under threat of eviction a crime? Reported to Merseyside Pllice complete with evidence.

Is not providing a rent book a crime? Reported to Merseyside Police complete with evidence.

Is taking 'rent' solely in cash without providing a receipt a crime? Reported to Merseyside Police complete with evidence.

Is claiming that a person is far more disabled than they are in order to extort more money from them via Council benefits a crime? Reported to Merseyside Police complete with evidence.

Is making a false claim for Disability Living Allowance a crime? Reported to Merseyside Police complete with evidence.

This is the reality of what the public, and presumably Mr Morton, are up against.

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glenn, moreton says...
11:33am Tue 6 Oct 09

This might well be the opportunity then to make sure something is done. With such a high profile case and the backing of the globe to follow the story up, this will put more pressure than any individual could, no matter how over-whelming the evidence, to make sure cases like these aren't dismissed. Like the library victory, this could be something that is also won by 'people power'.

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hugo2008 says...
11:41am Tue 6 Oct 09

I still have some faith in peoples decency, I would like to appeal to any group or practice of legal eagles. Please carry out a cursary examination of any evidence or information available, if there is the possibility of any action, launch an appeal to cover your expences, and I feel you will recieve ample contributions to cove any legal costs.
If all the proceedings are carried out in open court and public presence this would be the most valuable contribution any person can make to a fair and just society in any life time.
Lets have the truth the whole truth.

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Goodm says...
11:44am Tue 6 Oct 09

See, we told you, just the tip of the iceberg. That's why they needed Mr. Morton out. Those crimes could not have been committed without the complicity or stupidity of others.

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PaulCa says...
2:12pm Tue 6 Oct 09

Well done Martin. What you have done takes courage. And you did it correctly and in good faith, with no intention of personal gain. I have personal experience of this and recently lost my livelihood over a similar matter. It's very easy to tell lies and side with corrupt managers, but what you did deserves a medal because the public rightly regard you as a hero and your former managers as double-dealing liars, who don't give a **** about the public but care very much about their own careers, at the expense of the greater good. The truth doesn't always come to the surface, so keep a close eye on them

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Goodm says...
3:21pm Tue 6 Oct 09

PaulCa, that came from the heart. You're right, careers and money are god to the 'double dealing liars'.
You know, on one level this is really simple. The special meeting agreed that Mr. Moreton was right the bullies wrong. Why are they still in post? And why is the person in human resources not sorting this out. Ah! yes,...... now that is a whole other story. Talk about protecting your career.

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Goodm says...
3:21pm Tue 6 Oct 09

PaulCa, that came from the heart. You're right, careers and money are god to the 'double dealing liars'.
You know, on one level this is really simple. The special meeting agreed that Mr. Moreton was right the bullies wrong. Why are they still in post? And why is the person in human resources not sorting this out. Ah! yes,...... now that is a whole other story. Talk about protecting your career.

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Goodm says...
3:27pm Tue 6 Oct 09

Sorry, that should read Mr.Morton, not Moreton ooops!

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MX says...
7:49pm Tue 6 Oct 09

The sad fact is that some of these so-called "double-dealing liars" earn six figure sums which the people of Wirral pay for.
If this is the standard of conduct that we expect from ,lest we forget, public servants then there really is no hope.They should be as Caesar's wife and "above suspicion" ,that's why we need ,no, should demand a full public enquiry into what exactly has gone on.The numerous investigations that have taken place have been clearly deficient because as the postings on this site (and elsewhere) testify there are serious issues which remain unanswered.

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Veridici says...
8:17pm Tue 6 Oct 09

MX you rightly talk about the standards of conduct so ffar shown by these people and you might find this link interesting.
http://tinylink.com/
?tNQD8JuPiQ
.
This paragraph is particularly relevant to this case:-
"In the light of this legislation, the
Council has a policy that informs staff that it is their responsibility to report genuine concerns about:
the mistreatment of people;
financial malpractice;
miscarriage of justice;
abuse in care;
dangers to health and safety;
risks to the environment and
cover-ups."
.
It's particularly interesting that cover-ups are included in view of the massive cover-up that is still going on here.


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Natasha Eubank says...
10:47pm Tue 6 Oct 09

Veridici, thank-you for posting the link. It was particularly interesting. Especially para3.19. I think I've seen the name of the senior officer responsible for the report before, isn't that the Assistant Director of Adult Social Services?

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Veridici says...
11:27pm Tue 6 Oct 09

It is indeed, Natasha, it is indeed. Quite a coincidence don't you think?

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FatherTed says...
7:02am Wed 7 Oct 09

Veridici thanks for the link but why is that officer a coincidence, is she one of the two that were suspended? Is there still no news about the enquiry yet? I know the money bit is really important and sad but I got more of a personal interest in this bullying business.

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FatherTed says...
7:07am Wed 7 Oct 09

TheLooseCannon do you know for a fact all those crimes were reported to the police? Were they only investigated by a DC, surely allegations like that should of been done by at least a sergeant or an inspector.

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piggymalone says...
9:53am Wed 7 Oct 09

I think I have mentioned this before but because of the close relationship between the police and the L/A the police are very reluctant to investigate any incidents involving the L/A. I believe the only justice to come from this case would be that if Martin Morton took out his own civil action against MBW

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Goodm says...
5:25pm Wed 7 Oct 09

Why should it be up to MR. Morton to do the work of the police. Didn't he spend nine years of his life trying to do his own work and that of other incompetent people? There must be other agencies who can do this. Mind or Mencap for example.If the people in Birkenhead, who were so badly treated by a spefic service provider, were from an ethnic minority
group then the case would be a high priority, and rightly so. No one should be treated like that. Human Rights Act, not if you have learning difficulties or mental health issues.

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Goodm says...
9:59pm Wed 7 Oct 09

I have just read some minutes on line. They ARE NOT the minutes of any meeting I attended on the 23rd of September. Please don't tell me that the Director of Law sanctioned these***************
***

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piggymalone says...
12:10am Thu 8 Oct 09

Goodm.....I totally agree but the fact remains that the police are reluctant to take action against local authorities and there is very little you or I or anybody else for that matter can do to alter that fact. Other organisations you mention are generally charities and therefore cannot risk the costs of taking action and would probably not have the evidence to take to the police. Mr Morton, with the backing of the public would be the best course of action but I suspect he may well already be considering what course he should take

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