Published by The News Date: 23 November 2005

THE Lib Dem leader of Portsmouth City Council is to be reported

to the Standards Board again following a political row.

Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson faces a second probe into

his conduct after this time being accused of abusing his

position to influence an election. It is the second time in

 a matter of weeks that he has been reported to the

watchdog board – the first came after he was accused of

telling 'a blatant lie' about plans to build a hotel on the

Hilsea Lido site. Now he looks like he will have to deal

With a second inquiry – the new one focusing on his role

as the election agent of Lib Dem colleague Mike Hancock

during the general election. Documents obtained by the

Tories using the Freedom of Information Act have led to

 the new row.

The Tories claim they show that Cllr Vernon-Jackson pulled a

controversial planning application on the eve of the May 5

 election just so his party could say their opponents were

misleading the public. But Cllr Vernon-Jackson insists the

withdrawal of the application was just part of his duties as

leader and had nothing to do with the bitterly-contested

election. The application involved plans to convert a tennis
 court on Southsea Common. City council Park Rangers wanted

to extend their storage and parking yard because the current

space was too cramped which led to several accidents and

near misses.