David Weeks (politician)

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David Weeks is a former Conservative Leader of Westminster City Council and served on the council from 1974 to 1998.[1][2]

Career

He was leader of the council from 1991 to 1993, deputy leader[3] from 1983 to 1991, and acting leader during 1987 to 1988. He chaired several of the council's major committees: Policy and Resources, 1991–93; Planning and Development, 1987–91; Finance and Personnel, 1983–87; and Housing, 1979-83. From 1977 to 1979 he was the chief whip of the council's ruling Conservative group.

He was Leader of the Council at the time it was ordered to buy back the Westminster Cemeteries after they were sold without proper provision for maintenance.[4]

Homes for Votes scandal

Weeks was deputy leader to Shirley Porter at the time of the "Homes for votes scandal" and was found jointly liable along with Porter and others to the tune of £36 million by the District Auditor, but this was reduced on appeal by the High Court.[5] In a 2001 judgement, Lord Bingham of Cornhill, described Dame Shirley and David Weeks, as guilty of a "...deliberate, blatant and dishonest misuse of public power. It was a misuse of power by both of them not for the purpose of financial gain but for that of electoral advantage. In that sense it was corrupt.[6][7] Lord Scott said:
The corruption was not money corruption. No one took a bribe. No one sought or received money for political favours. But there are other forms of corruption, often less easily detectable and therefore more insidious. Gerrymandering, the manipulation of constituency boundaries for party political advantage, is a clear form of political corruption.[8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Boggan, Steve (14 January 1994). "The Westminster Scandal: The Prominent Names Facing Surcharges". The Independent (London). Retrieved 22 December 2013.  (subscription required)
  2. ↑ ALL MEMBERS OF WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL. Westminster City Council Election Results (unofficial page), 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  3. ↑ Surcharge upheld against Dame Shirley Porter. BBC News, 19 December 1997. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  4. ↑ Letter: The cemeteries of Westminster council. From David Weeks in The Independent, 7 July 1992. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  5. ↑ Q&A: Dame Shirley's downfall. BBC News 24 April 2004. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  6. ↑ "'Corrupt' Dame Shirley ordered to pay Pounds 26.4m" in The Times, 14 December 2001.
  7. ↑ "Magill v. Weeks [2001] UKHL 67 (13th December, 2001)". Bailii.org. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  8. ↑ O'Grady, Sean (16 December 2001). "Shirley Porter; Rich, Fashy and Corrupt with It". Independent on Sunday (London). Retrieved 22 December 2013.  (subscription required)

Further reading

  • Dimoldenberg, Paul (2006). The Westminster Whistleblowers: Shirley Porter, Homes for Votes and Scandal in Britain's Rottenest Borough. London: Politico's Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84275-179-4. 
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