THE CHIEF Executive of the Council of the Isles of Scilly, who has for some time been the target of allegations relating to a so-called “climate of fear” in the islands, has been suspended from duties.
The suspension of Philip Hygate, which was described as “a neutral act” in a council statement, followed a private meeting of the authority’s policy and resources committee earlier this week.
Accompanied by a lawyer, Mr Hygate, who was the youngest first officer in the authority’s 100-year-plus history, had attended the meeting chaired by Councillor Amanda Martin with the one agenda item, “staffing issues”.
It had been called on the basis of allegations against Mr Hygate’s conduct and certain council procedures under his direction, which are believed to relate to issues ranging from an alleged “climate of fear” stemming from the Town Hall to an accumulated leave matter and the controversial suspension last May of the former island school head teacher.
The suspension of Mr Hygate from his £110,000-a-year post is pending the outcome of an investigation into these allegations.
Mrs Martin referred to the island community being “rife with unease”.
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