In my life as a lawyer I am often called by irate politicians who want to show strong and decisive action where a public official has been found wanting; but experience tells me that there are always two sides to every story. Maybe its quaint, but I do believe in natural justice.

Local councils are big employers and owe a duty of care to their officials to follow a fair process, and not to trash a professional reputation in the press. They also have ‘best value' obligations not to waste public funds.That applies to councillors as well as to the Leadership.