15.05.18
Liverpool council CEO resigns after failed judicial review request
The chief executive of Liverpool City Council has resigned ahead of the authority's Annual General Meeting, which could have seen him removed from office.
Council boss Ged Fitzgerald stepped aside from his role in May 2017 following his arrest on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and witness intimidation, relating to a £5m contract for services that he was a part of whilst working at Lancashire County Council.
His resignation comes after his application for a judicial review was rejected last month.
In September last year, following a council meeting, the decision was taken to suspend Fitzgerald.
It is believed that last month, the council began the process of dismissing him following the recommendation of the local authority’s appointments and disciplinary panel, with an independent panel expected to meet on Thursday to consider the recommendation ahead of a full council meeting next week.
In a brief statement, Joe Anderson, mayor of Liverpool, said: “Ged Fitzgerald has resigned from his post as CEO of Liverpool City Council with immediate effect.
“I can confirm that he wrote to me this morning and tendered his resignation, which the council has accepted.”
Fitzgerald and three others are expected to answer bail on 22 May.
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