South Bank leader's astonishing attack on Hull City Council chief executive
A SOUTH Bank council leader has launched an astonishing attack on city council chief executive Darryl Stephenson.
Outspoken North East Lincolnshire Council leader Chris Shaw accused Mr Stephenson of "bearing a grudge" against the ruling Labour group at the Grimsby-based authority.
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North East Lincolnshire Council leader Chris Shaw
His comments follow claims made earlier this year by former city council leader Colin Inglis that the four councils bordering the Humber were privately "fighting like rats in a sack" over cross-estuary issues.
In particular, Cllr Inglis pointed the finger at Cllr Shaw for putting millions of pounds of Government funding at risk by "displaying shocking megalomania" during negotiations between the four authorities.
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Firing back, Cllr Shaw claimed Hull had a "huge chip" on its shoulder, adding: "There might have been a time when Hull clicked its fingers and everyone else came running but that doesn't happen anymore."
He also claimed Cllr Inglis was merely trying to raise his own profile by making controversial comments, saying the former Lord Mayor was in the "twilight years" of his political career.
Since then, council leaders from both sides of the estuary have attempted to play down any further claims of rifts between the neighbouring authorities.
But now Cllr Shaw has lit the blue touch paper again by attacking Mr Stephenson, who worked as interim chief executive at North-East Lincs in 2004.
He stepped into the temporary post after the council was severely criticised for poor leadership and a lack of financial management in an Audit Commission report.
Speaking at a full council meeting, Cllr Shaw was asked by opposition Conservative councillors to congratulate the Government for investing in the region after a number of recent funding announcements.
The Labour leader refused to offer any general praise for the coalition but claimed he always got a good response from ministers.
Tory group leader Councillor Keith Brookes then asked if he got a good response from city council leader Steve Brady.
Cllr Shaw replied: "Yes, I do. The person we don't get a good response from is the ex-chief executive of this authority in 2004 who was brought in from the East Riding.
"That chief executive came in and still bears a grudge against this Labour administration because we opposed him closing toilets and closing libraries."
When contacted by the Mail, Mr Stephenson hit back: "Cllr Shaw appears to have engaged mouth before brain again but I wish him well in his particular fantasy land.
"If he has a problem with me representing the interests of the citizens of Hull I would prefer it if he raised that face-to-face and not via a stab in the back from a distance.
"I have been fortunate to work with some great leaders – Sir Peter Soulsby, Pat Doyle, Steve Parnaby and now Steve Brady – men of intellect. Unfortunately, my counterpart at Grimsby isn't so blessed."
Cllr Brady said: "Darryl Stephenson is an excellent chief executive and it is a pleasure to work with him.
"He is very effective in his role at Hull City Council and I have complete confidence in him as a person and as a chief executive."
26 Comments
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by SPBlakeney
Tuesday, March 12 2013, 12:01AM
“The councils are rats in a sack. Its a pity voters wont give alternatives a voice, and chuck the sack of reds who take it a given theyll be re-elected, into the nearest drain. This area seriously needs a change.”
by ferretmonger
Monday, March 11 2013, 7:19PM
“Whoops we appear to have upset a moron dont we DerAngriffe? Are you from Grimsby by any chance?”
by Woodhey
Monday, March 11 2013, 4:02PM
“Thanks to Look Lincoln hosted by Peter Levy every evening, we have been treated to numerous audiences with Mr. Shaw so when my wife questions his competency and ridicules his "persona" then personally I would be afraid, very afraid.
However just when I was beginning to agree with Mr. Stephenson regarding his own feelings, he goes and puts Steve Brady and "men of intellect" in the same sentence.
(Stands by and awaits a swift response from Unified)”
by DerAngriff
Monday, March 11 2013, 3:56PM
“Grimsby may be a hole, but thankfully isn't as big a hole as Hull. You all speak like morons and your women are extraordinarily ugly.
I can't stand Chris Shaw, but compared to ANYBODY from Hull he is a King.”
by harryX
Monday, March 11 2013, 3:50PM
“by Taxpayer48,
"I too have worked with many lads from Grimsby, and while there's a few of them that are good lads the majority hate Hully gullys or anyone from Yorkshire to be honest,
I was very shocked at the resentment that they feel towards us because most Hull people don't even know Grimsby exists,
They hate us like the Scottish hate the English,
But on the other hand we NOTHING them."
Why don'y you have it out with them face to face? Well you know what I mean.
thisisgrimsby is running the same article....
http://tinyurl.com/cvco4xk”
by places
Monday, March 11 2013, 3:44PM
“this chris shaw , could someone point out which end of his body is which, because he talks that much cr-p i dont know which end is his a-se from his face1”
by AndrewCappEsq
Monday, March 11 2013, 3:10PM
“by EducatedSage
Unfortunately, and it is regrettable, that in more recent times the parochially and politically divisive culture of small minded envy, resentment and petty vindictiveness has become rife in pockets of the Scunthorpe environs of the south bank! More so towards newcomers, success and any belligerence on their part!! ;-)”
by davel60
Monday, March 11 2013, 2:43PM
“You are completely correct EducatedSage, this person is an embarrassment to almost everyone on the South Bank, If he were a football manager, he would have been sacked long ago.
If anyone doubts me, just go on This is Grimsby website and type his name in the search box.
I reckon he has, with great affect, turned himself into the most undesirable thing to have happened to the town of Grimsby since 1348, when a black rat came ashore one Monday afternoon and said, "Oh no, I think I've got fleas"...”
by EducatedSage
Monday, March 11 2013, 2:15PM
“Councillor Shaw should know better than to criticise a Council Officer via the media.
For his part, Darryl Stephenson should also have know better. Politicians "chirp", public servants remain silent.
It may be encouraging for Hullensians to know, that like them, some of the residents of North East Lincolnshire and others living outside his fiefdom, also find Councillor Shaw a political embarrassment.
Finally to the inter-settlement rivalry. My family moved to the south bank forty years ago. We were impressed by the warm welcome we received. The rivalry is generally nothing more than banter, although as in anywhere else, there are always those who are more obsessed with apparent differences. Both Hull and Grimsby had thriving fishing industries which alas were sacrificed by trawler owners and politicians alike.”
by AndrewCappEsq
Monday, March 11 2013, 1:56PM
“by VicMay
LOL Seems someone thought it fitting to pay the Grimsby Telegraph readers and Cllr Shaw the courtesy!
http://tinyurl.com/b2g94l8”