Investigation launched over ‘espionage’ and secret recording

A sitting Lib Dem councillor is being investigated by the council for covertly recording a meeting between Oldham’s Labour leader and an independent councillor. 

In CCTV footage, an individual can reportedly be seen placing a device outside the leader’s office door and appearing to listen to the conversation through their phone, then entering another room where a number of other councillors were waiting.  

The incident came as political bosses in Oldham ramped up the last of their negotiations to secure their bids for leadership at the first council meeting yesterday (Wednesday).

The audio recording, which has been shared widely, features Labour boss Arooj Shah and independent councillor Marc Hince. 

Arooj Shah maintained her leadership of Oldham council after a close vote, with 28 councillors voting for, 29 against and three abstaining from electing a new leader.

A spokesperson for Oldham Council said: “Audio footage understood to be from a meeting held by the Leader of the Council with council officers and other politicians was shared widely on social media overnight (Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 May).   

“The Council is now undertaking a full investigation into the circumstances of this recording, including reviewing CCTV footage.

"This will consider any legal implications.” 

They added that group leaders of the main parties have been briefed by Chief Executive Harry Catherall and that the council is considering what course of action to take.

The Labour group meanwhile have stated they would be lodging an official complaint with the national Liberal Democrat group and called for local leaders to resign. 

One Labour source said: “Howard Sykes and Mark Kenyon should do the right thing and resign immediately.

"Sykes is a senior figure in Liberal Democrat politics in the UK and Kenyon is a prospective parliamentary candidate - both these men knew exactly what they were doing, the consequences of their actions, and the betrayal of trust it represents. 

“While the Council will understandably be investigating how a senior opposition councillor is engaged in such dirty espionage, the people of Oldham will want to see decisive action taken. 

“The CCTV footage of the Lib Dem councillors scurrying down corridors, positioning sophisticated spyware and listening devices outside the Leader’s meeting room door, then listening at doorways from the shadows, is frankly like something from a Cold War era movie.  

“There is no circumstance or justification for this abuse of trust, it is a blatant disregard for the rules and there will be a price to pay.” 

Shaw and Crompton councillor Mark Hince told the LDRS he had been subject to online abuse and death threats to his family since the audio was leaked online. 

He said: “I’m absolutely astounded an elected member of the chamber could by this selfish action put me and my family at risk.

"People have been putting my home address on Facebook pages, calling me a piece of sh*t, saying I’ll get what’s coming to me… 

“Every leader of every group in that chamber reserves a right to have discussions with other groups and other leaders without fear of reprisal.” 

A Lib Dem spokesperson said: “We respect the council’s investigation into this and will comment further once that is concluded.”

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