Prime Minister orders investigation following Anna Klonowski report (From Wirral Globe)
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Prime Minister orders investigation following Anna Klonowski report
9:23am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in News By Stephanie Cureton
THE Prime Minister has promised to look into claims made in the recent Anna Klonowski report.
Wirral West MP Esther McVey told David Cameron during PM's questions that the "violence and intimidation” revealed in the report was "shocking."
The Klonowski inquiry looked into the claims of whistleblower Martin Morton, a former Wirral social services employee, who was bullied and forced out of his job after revealing systematic financial abuse of vulnerable people in council care.
The council has since apologised to Mr Morton and says it has set in place a series of changes in how the authority works to deal with the problems highlighted by the report.
Miss McVey blamed Wirral's ruling Labour administration for the problems.
During Prime Minister's Questions she asked: "Will the PM as a matter of urgency look into the recent shocking report into allegations of overcharging of vulnerable adults on the Wirral and also claims of violence and intimidation under a Labour-led council, making sure that those responsible are brought to account and never work again in adult social services?"
Mr Cameron agreed, saying that while regulators have a difficult job, better scrutiny is vital.
He said: "I will certainly look at the report - it is clearly a very serious matter."
He also promised to pass on the issue to relevant ministers, adding that new regulators are facing difficulties.
Mr Cameron added: "It is really important that inspections are thorough and targeted ... clearly there is a need for this on Merseyside."
Miss McVey said: "We now know that the PM takes this very seriously. I was determined to take this right to the top.
"There is a question of legal action, which makes it difficult to comment further on matters which may be prejudicial. But some of the allegations are horrendous."
Wirral's chief executive Jim Wilkie said: "We have already begun looking at the implications of Anna Klonowski's report with the police and will co-operate fully in any police investigations.
"We have also responded to the Care Quality Commissions's most recent inspection with a detailed action plan and have improved our services to safeguard people.
"In addition a Peer Review is being carried out independently which has identified that we are making progress.
"I can only repeat that any actions, which can be taken, will be taken to ensure these failings are not repeated."
The Prime Minister's pledge comes as Wirral council leader Cllr Steve Foulkes fights for his political life following calls from leaders of both opposition groups for him to be ousted over the fall-out from the Anna Klonowski report.
Earlier this week Tory leader Cllr Jeff Green called for Cllr Foulkes to step down over the way the report has been dealt with.
This has now been followed by a demand from Lib-Dem leader Cllr Tom Harney for Cllr Foulkes "to do the decent thing and resign."
The two groups united in a vote would out-number the Labour administration by 37 to 29.
Cllr Foulkes will face two votes of no confidence when the full council meets on February 13.
Comments(38)
WirralAl
says...
10:09am Thu 2 Feb 12
When do you think Cllr Foul kus will make a response?
Will it still be
"it wasn't me"
or "lets all work together now".
Or could it finally be " Destination slip out the back door"
Lets hope it's the latter and takes the rest of the liars, bullies and blaggers with him.
PaulCa
says...
10:29am Thu 2 Feb 12
Angela Eagle actually did something regarding the 'disability discrimination' aspects of all this. The Klonowski Report finds that there wasn't any disability discrimination - however, one law firm's opinion (who've been protected by anonymity) against that of the EHRC doesn't look very convincing.
The other Labour MP whose name escapes me has done nothing either.
AndersPanders
says...
10:34am Thu 2 Feb 12
djrimmer
says...
10:55am Thu 2 Feb 12
Any comment Miss McVey?
bigfoot
says...
11:00am Thu 2 Feb 12
Martin there's knighthood going spare-at least you did something to deserve it!!!
WirralAl
says...
11:12am Thu 2 Feb 12
Cheesy Peas
says...
11:44am Thu 2 Feb 12
Resign!
council officer
says...
1:32pm Thu 2 Feb 12
However, when are we going to get change at the top?
Until we do so, there will be no change!
Same old stock answer from Mr Wilkie. For God's sake, do something man.
bigfoot
says...
3:18pm Thu 2 Feb 12
council officer wrote:You will have a long wait for a response from Rip Van Wilkie!
Well done to Esther McVey.
However, when are we going to get change at the top?
Until we do so, there will be no change!
Same old stock answer from Mr Wilkie. For God's sake, do something man.
LocaLGovwatcher
says...
4:09pm Thu 2 Feb 12
PaulCa
says...
4:44pm Thu 2 Feb 12
However when Mr Smith's letter was submitted to Chair, Moira McLaughlin's Social Services "Scrutiny" committee a year last January, she wouldn't accept it and attacked the Wirral Globe story (in the paper that week) with the rhetorical flourish, "You don't believe everything you read in the newspapers do you?"
She is now the worshipful Mayor of Wirral, but as we all know, is yet to face any accountability for her failures.
water1lily
says...
5:40pm Thu 2 Feb 12
There are hundreds of Disabled people on the Wirral not getting their Legal Entitlements and they their families are suffering.Everyone knows about it, CQC aren't interested and when an MP or the Local Government Ombudsman asks DASS for information on what has gone on the replies we have copies of are a total pack of lies. It goes right to the top the Chief Executive of the Council when told what was going on didn't even reply. The' Care' Company DASS insist provide 'Care' have been found guilty of 3 different types of Financial Abuse and don't even provide basic care. We have photos of a client looking like a Belsen Victim.
LocaLGovwatcher
says...
6:00pm Thu 2 Feb 12
4:44pm Thu 2 Feb 12
"Angela Eagle made an enquiry about disability discrimination to Mike Smith of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission about a year ago, which found that there was indeed disability discrimination on the part of the council.
However when Mr Smith's letter was submitted to Chair, Moira McLaughlin's Social Services "Scrutiny" committee a year last January, she wouldn't accept it and attacked the Wirral Globe story (in the paper that week) with the rhetorical flourish, "You don't believe everything you read in the newspapers do you?"
She is now the worshipful Mayor of Wirral, but as we all know, is yet to face any accountability for her failures."
So having ascertained there was disability discrimination happening in the Council, it would appear that Angela Eagle took no follow-up action in this matter. Why?
Ben Beaconsfield
says...
7:30pm Thu 2 Feb 12
However, the cynic in me tells me not to hold my breath. I watched Cameron's reply to Ms McVey's question and it seemed to me to smack of: "Oh, OK, another report. Put it with the rest." He certainly appeared to be very non-committal. I hope I'm being unfair....
PaulCa
says...
7:41pm Thu 2 Feb 12
Google "Veridici / Cameron" to find the 'Angela Eagle letter' on the 'Blowing the Whistle' blog.
Same goes to Frank Field (shame), Stephen Hesford (remember him?), Yvette Cooper, Gordon Brown, Nick Clegg, the Local Government Ombudsman and Gordon Brown.
All too busy to bother their backsides with disabled people being attacked and thieved from by a local council.
PaulCa
says...
7:58pm Thu 2 Feb 12
LocaLGovwatcher wrote:Mike Smith of the EHRC passed the issue on to Anna Klonowski for her to investigate within her review.
PaulCa says...
4:44pm Thu 2 Feb 12
"Angela Eagle made an enquiry about disability discrimination to Mike Smith of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission about a year ago, which found that there was indeed disability discrimination on the part of the council.
However when Mr Smith's letter was submitted to Chair, Moira McLaughlin's Social Services "Scrutiny" committee a year last January, she wouldn't accept it and attacked the Wirral Globe story (in the paper that week) with the rhetorical flourish, "You don't believe everything you read in the newspapers do you?"
She is now the worshipful Mayor of Wirral, but as we all know, is yet to face any accountability for her failures."
So having ascertained there was disability discrimination happening in the Council, it would appear that Angela Eagle took no follow-up action in this matter. Why?
Now how the anonymous legal party she commissioned to look into it can come up with a result which directly counters what he found is a bit of a mystery.
The EHRC deal with this sort of thing constantly. It's their bread and butter, so my money's on disability discrimination being found ultimately, despite the squirmings of Wirral Council.
But officialdom has its asking price. Individuals can be bought and sold, as we all know, so it's up in the air really!
daggers drawn
says...
9:15pm Thu 2 Feb 12
AndersPanders wrote:Yep new faces & a fresh start! What a statement-sounds like press hysteria! Best pack your bags, you have 6,000 staff who will help you and your little elfin!
Never thought I'd praise a conservative but fair play to her. Wilkie's response sounds a little fraught with hysteria "please let me stay" .. Sorry mate I'd prefer if you left. Fresh start. New faces. New ideas.
How you gonna deg yourself out of this!
daggers drawn
says...
9:23pm Thu 2 Feb 12
Cheesy Peas wrote:How right. He will never get it!! He must think he is untouchable! Well he has been! He was Deputy Chief Executive for years & years!! he must have known what was going on! and if he didn't he should be sacked! It was his job to know. You best get going Jo 90 your time is up!
Jim Wilkie demonstrating perfectly how he still, after everything, simply does not get this. Resign!
CTS1966
says...
10:04pm Thu 2 Feb 12
And why no word from Mr Frank Field?
One of those who need to explain their actions is the current Mayor Of Wirral Moira McLaughlin!
Is this why Mr Field says nothing?
Work it out!
It’s nothing to do with the fact that they are in the same party!!!
council officer
says...
10:05pm Thu 2 Feb 12
daggers drawn wrote:Ha ha..I'm lovin the play on words Daggers. Class!
AndersPanders wrote:Yep new faces & a fresh start! What a statement-sounds like press hysteria! Best pack your bags, you have 6,000 staff who will help you and your little elfin!
Never thought I'd praise a conservative but fair play to her. Wilkie's response sounds a little fraught with hysteria "please let me stay" .. Sorry mate I'd prefer if you left. Fresh start. New faces. New ideas.
How you gonna deg yourself out of this!
ArdalMcFardle
says...
10:34pm Thu 2 Feb 12
council officer
says...
10:52pm Thu 2 Feb 12
ArdalMcFardle wrote:If you go onto the agenda for tonights cabinet meeting there is all sorts of nonsense going on. The Council is putting forward its draft Corporate Plan. Its a joke. They are also putting forward an action plan to tackle AKA. Another joke. No mention of any resignations. I hope AK sees through the lot of them on her return.
But now I read on a website that must not be named that DASS has a pilot scheme in place to reduce payments to carers too. And A restructure that is so over loaded with managers it appears to defy logic. They are very good at looking after their own aren't they? But not the people they are supposed to look after.
Fungy
says...
11:59am Fri 3 Feb 12
I am sure the Wirral MP's will be at the debate where the Minister will have to respond fully in the debate and may have more impact than some empty word from 'call me Dave'.
Perhaps Esther was going for the cheap publicity route rather than the
http://services.parl
iament.uk/calendar/C
ommons/WestminsterHa
ll/2012/02/07/events
.html
Cheesy Peas
says...
12:33pm Fri 3 Feb 12
I wasn't aware of that.
I'll veru much enjoy reading Hansard.
Dantealighieri
says...
12:46pm Fri 3 Feb 12
Ben Beaconsfield
says...
12:48pm Fri 3 Feb 12
A simple explanation from The Globe to old-time posters like us might be seen as good manners, n'est pas?
Dantealighieri
says...
12:57pm Fri 3 Feb 12
Cheesy Peas
says...
1:08pm Fri 3 Feb 12
Frustrating thought it is - my own comments get deleted from time to time - we have to remember it's the Globe who ends up liable for any defamatory remarks on here, not the person who leaves the comment.
Sometimes an entire thread gets based around one "out of kilter" remark and so, for the sake of ease if nothing else, I imagine that's why the whole lot gets deleted.
Remember - this is the newspaper that broke and followed up the Martin Morton affair all the way through, so it seems unfair to accuse them of unnecessary censorship.
Happen to know that's the precise opposite of their raisin d'etre - BUT they still have to work within their own company rules.
CP
CTS1966
says...
1:18pm Fri 3 Feb 12
Fungy wrote:Fungy, useful information but I doubt Mr Field would want to rock the boat too much!
As someone who follows Frank Field's activities in Parliament I can't help think Ms Mcvey has jumped the gun slightly and presumably because she noticed that Mr Field has secured a debate in Westminster hall on this very issue for next Tuesday. This must have been applied for long before Ms McVeys request as my experience of working in parliament is that you can wait several weeks or months to get a debate due to the busy schedules.
I am sure the Wirral MP's will be at the debate where the Minister will have to respond fully in the debate and may have more impact than some empty word from 'call me Dave'.
Perhaps Esther was going for the cheap publicity route rather than the
http://services.parl
iament.uk/calendar/C
ommons/WestminsterHa
ll/2012/02/07/events
.html
After all it would implicate Mayor Moira McLaughlin who Mr Field has a (very) close relationship with!
Maybe Ms Mcvey realised that and thought best to act!!
AndersPanders
says...
3:03pm Fri 3 Feb 12
unbeleivable
says...
12:21am Sat 4 Feb 12
Cheesy Peas
says...
11:02am Sat 4 Feb 12
The one glimmer of joy in all this is that the protagonists at Wirral Council - elected and employed, and in one case wearing a chain - are poring over these comments with sick stomachs, dreading to turn away from the screen in the fear they'll see the grim reaper of justice standing right behind them.
unbeleivable
says...
3:32pm Sat 4 Feb 12
bickyboy
says...
7:58pm Sat 4 Feb 12
Cheesy Peas
says...
12:00am Sun 5 Feb 12
Unbelieveable - oh, it very much is being looked into.
Team #Whistleblower is now Legion:
We're on it.
Ben Beaconsfield
says...
7:40am Sun 5 Feb 12
bickyboy
says...
2:10pm Sun 5 Feb 12
reliant22 says...
10:05am Thu 2 Feb 12
It has been noted that the three Labour MPs have kept quiet.
I hope the perpetrators get their just desserts, compensation for Martin Moreton plus an Honour from Her Majesty for his contribution.I`m almost sure he would be happy to see justice for those poor individuals who suffered at the hands of the thugs.
Good luck Martin.