Wrexham councillor removed over child protection allegations

A senior councillor in Wrexham has been removed from the council’s executive board after making allegations about its Child and Family Team (CAFAT).

Malcolm King, who was lead member for finance, raised concerns about staff levels and case loads at the council’s child and family assessment team.

Although Council leader Neil Rogers said an investigation had found “little or no evidence” to support the 16 allegations, he said the claims were having a “negative impact on staff”.

In a statement, Cllr Rogers said: “I have considered the recent media reports in relation to the CAFAT here in Wrexham. I am concerned that these allegations are having a negative impact on our staff.

“Under the constitutional arrangements of the council I allocate lead member responsibilities and have therefore taken the decision to remove the portfolio as lead member for policy, finance, performance and governance from Cllr King.

“In the interim period I will assume the finance brief and I will speak to other lead members and discuss the other aspects of Cllr King’s brief.”

Mr King, who had also been responsible for policy and governance, made 16 allegations about staff levels, case loads and the pressure faced by social workers.

Cllr King stands by his comments and said he remains “absolutely certain” he did the right thing.

He said: “After 25 years of raising concerns about child protection and being attacked by all sorts of people with vested interests for doing so, this latest episode comes as no surprise.

“However, while attacking whistleblowers is nothing new, for a report to be put forward by the council, which attacks its own whistleblowing social workers for lacking integrity, is utterly despicable.

“It is also totally against the council’s own whistleblowing policy which says it will protect whistleblowers from such attacks. It also says their employment will be protected.

“As far as my own position is concerned, I’m absolutely certain I did the right thing. Faced with concerns about child protection being raised by social workers, I did what any decent councillor would have done and reported it.

“This is all very sad. With the council facing such huge challenges, this is the last thing we needed. However, as most people know, politics is rarely just about what the public is told.”