More interest in Jason Longhurst of Grimsby

Thank you for your email to CABE's general enquiries email address drawing our attention to the complaint by xxxxx yyyyy against Jason Longhurst, in Mr Longhurst's capacity as an employee of North East Lincolnshire Council.

I do not know in what capacity you write - whether as xxxxx yyyyy's legal adviser, friend, or as a disinterested member of the public. I thank you for your solicitude for CABE's reputation, but I assume from the terms in which you write that any investigation which the council might be undertaking has not yet been concluded. It would, therefore, be contrary to natural justice and the due process of law for CABE to assume that the allegations against Mr Longhurst are proven. Whilst reputational consequences can be made to flow from unresolved allegations, in my experience they tend to be indistinguishable from mud slinging unless substantiated through some form of due process, such as the investigation which you describe. I do not imply any judgement on xxxxx yyyyy's allegations in saying this. I am in no position to make one. It is simply a fact deriving from the stage in the process which you have reached.

To assist you, it may be helpful to explain that CABE is neither a professional body, nor any other sort of membership organisation. Our status is explained on our web site (address below). We do not have "members". Nor, for the avoidance of doubt, is Mr Longhurst an employee of CABE. Mr Longhurst is a CABE Enabler. Enablers are people appointed to a framework (formerly often described as a call-down or call-off) contract, on whose services CABE can occasionally call to provide local advice. Enablers have no other connection with CABE and there are no other mutual obligations. CABE is not responsible for their conduct when they are not working for us. Being a CABE Enabler does not imply CABE's endorsement of suitability for any other employment.

I understand from what you say that Mr Longhurst is an employee of North East Lincolnshire Council. He was not employed as an Enabler by CABE to work for the council and, therefore, his conduct there is not a matter for CABE but for the council. It is difficult for me to see a way in which a finding against Mr Longhurst in any investigation could, therefore, lead to CABE being discredited, because CABE has nothing whatsoever to do with his work for the council. I can assure you, however, that we will defend CABE vigorously against any attempt to discredit it.

I note that you also say that Mr Longhurst's "suitability to serve CABE" has been called into question. You do not say by whom. It does not seem to be xxxxx yyyyyy, since CABE is (rightly and properly) not mentioned in his complaint, which seems to be a very full, clear and unambiguous statement of his grievance. I don't know if you intend to imply that it is the council. No doubt they will let me know if that is the case, so long as the outcome of the investigation can be made available to me.

I hope that I have made the position clear but please do not hesitate to contact me if I can offer further clarification.

Since I do not know your relationship to the case I have taken the liberty of copying this correspondence to xxxxx yyyyyy, the people whom you mention at the council, to Mr Longhurst and to relevant colleagues at CABE.

Yours sincerely,

Richard Simmons


Dr Richard Simmons
Chief Executive
Tel: 020 7070 6700
Fax: 020 7070 6777