Councillor in inquiry over 'undeclared' £40k job

A SENIOR city councillor is facing a probe over claims he has never declared his interest in a publicly-funded body where it is alleged he could earn up to £40,000.

The Standards Commission is set to launch an investigation into Labour's city finance spokesman Ian Perry's involvement with a group set up to improve education in one of Edinburgh's most deprived areas.

A complaint has been made that Councillor Perry has never declared an interest in the Wester Hailes Education and Training Managers Group, which receives money from the city council.

The Southside/Newington councillor's register of interests show he is a lecturer at Stevenson College. But documents obtained by the Evening News under the Freedom of Information Act reveal he hasn't worked there for nearly a decade.

Pentland Hills Conservative councillor Alastair Paisley, who filed the complaint, said: "Cllr Perry's published register of interests states his employment is as a lecturer at Stevenson College.

"I understand this may be the case in regard to his substantive contract of employment but that he has been seconded to another organisation for some time, possibly up to ten years.

"He has never declared an interest in that organisation as an employee. I believe that he should have done. Not only is he employed there but his salary is also being reimbursed to Stevenson College by that organisation. I am informed that his salary may be within the £30,000 to £40,000 per annum bracket."

He added: "What is very obvious is that we need to get to the bottom of all this and what is going on here.

"It is incumbent on every councillor to declare an interest at every stage of proceedings."

Cllr Perry lectured at Stevenson College until 1998. He was then seconded on a full-time basis to the Wester Hailes group, which has an office at Westburn Grove.

A spokesman from the college said: "Mr Perry has not worked for Stevenson College Edinburgh since 1998 and has consequently received no remuneration from the college during this time.

"His salary and any bonuses or allowances are a matter for that organisation to decide. Prior to his secondment, Mr Perry was a lecturer in the college and was paid at the ordinary lecturer rate applicable in the years up to 1998."

Cllr Perry said: "Unfortunately, I cannot comment until I have the detail of the complaint that has been made to the Standards Commission. However, I will say that it is common knowledge that I am seconded from Stevenson College, my employer, to co-ordinate the Wester Hailes Education and Managers Group.

"I have never sought to hide this fact. Indeed I was introduced as such at a recent conference on the future of local government.

"I welcome the opportunity to meet with the Standards Commission and provide any further information that will help to clarify the issue."

A council spokeswoman said: "If the Standards Commission advise us that they have received a complaint we will endeavour to co-operate fully."