Former council leader among four charged over Operation Sheridan investigation
Four men have been ordered to appear in court in October on charges relating to Operation Sheridan, an investigation which began in 2013, involving allegations of financial irregularities in relation to procurement practices at Lancashire County Council.
It concerned the tendering of a £5m contract with One Connect Ltd, a joint venture between the council and BT to run some services.
They include Geoff Driver, former leader of Lancashire County Council, and Gerald Fitzgerald, former chief executive of Lancashire County Council and Liverpool City Council.
Mr Driver, 77, of Hoylake Close, Preston, has been summonsed to face a charge of Taking Revenge under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act.
Mr Fitzgerald, 60 of Dover Road, Birkdale, has been summonsed to face charges of misconduct in public office and aiding and abetting misconduct in public office.
Dr David McElhinney, 62 of Ormskirk Road, Knowsley, has been summonsed to face charges of misconduct in public office and procuring misconduct in public office.
Philip Halsall, 64 of Hesketh Road, Southport has been summonsed to face charges of misconduct in public office and procuring misconduct in public office.
A statement by Lancashire County Council said: “We note police have announced that three former senior members of staff and the former leader of the council have been summonsed to appear in court as part of an ongoing police investigation into historical alleged incidents of misconduct involving Lancashire County Council and other organisations.
“We have, of course, been cooperating fully with the police throughout the investigation, which relates to allegations from many years ago. None of those summonsed still work for Lancashire County Council. Lancashire County Council is focussed on our future, not the past, and our priority continues to be providing the vital, everyday services that the people of Lancashire rely on.
“As this is now in the hands of the courts we cannot make any further comment at this stage.”
The four men were served with postal requisition orders this week and are due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on October 12, 2022.
Four other men aged 62, 64, 66 and 68 were written to earlier this year and told they would face no further action.
The council raised allegations of financial irregularity with the constabulary in 2013.
A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: We would like to remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against these defendants are active and that they have a right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
