Shropshire Council leader Keith Barrow breaches code of conduct

Council leader Keith Barrow apologised for failing to declare a conflict of interest

The leader of Shropshire Council did not declare a relationship with the director of an accountancy firm appointed to work with the authority's private company.

Keith Barrow has apologised and resigned as director of IP&E after the findings of an internal investigation.

Mr Barrow, who leads the Conservative-run authority, accepted he had failed to comply with its code of conduct.

He will receive training and there will be no formal hearing, the council said.

IP&E, which stands for inspiring partnerships and enterprise, is owned by Shropshire Council.

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It provides a number of services, including the authority's communications and marketing.

Mr Barrow did not declare a personal and business relationship with the director of a firm which handles IP&E's accounting and auditing.

A council statement said: "An investigation into an allegation about the conduct of Councillor Keith Barrow has concluded he failed to comply with the Code of Conduct of Shropshire Council by failing to formally disclose a conflict of interest at meetings of the Board of IP&E Ltd."