Reaction to bombshell letter and resignations leaving Andy Preston’s mayoralty in turmoil

Deputy mayor Cllr Antony High and four independent members walked away from the seven strong leadership team on Tuesday – signing a resignation letter which made a string of allegations about the mayor’s conduct. 

The missive alleged “persistent poor conduct and misbehaviour” by Mr Preston – and that its signatories had “lost all confidence” in his ability to lead the town. 

But the mayor hit back in a statement released shortly before 5pm – claiming all the allegations were “completely untrue” and without evidence.

A packed agenda was due to be discussed at Middlesbrough Town Hall in the afternoon – including the controversial Stainsby country park vision, and a partnership with Teesside developer Jomast.

But none of the executive team – apart from Mr Preston – turned up in the wake of the letter being made public in the late morning. 

This left the meeting “inquorate” and meant it was postponed until a later date.

There was plenty of reaction to the explosive letter and its ramifications from the town’s politicians. 

Cllr Dorothy Davison confirmed she had resigned her position as the member responsible for adult social care and public health – adding that all executive members in the MIG (Middlesbrough Independent Group) had also resigned. 

The member for Marton East told the Local Democracy Reporting Service it had been a “very hard” decision to make.

Conservative councillor Mieka Smiles, executive member for communities and education, did not sign the letter.

In the wake of the letter, Cllr Smiles said it had been the “role of her life” to represent Nunthorpe and to be on the executive team. 

She added: “It’s a job that I’ve put my absolute all into and so many important projects are underway that I hope will change life for Middlesbrough residents for the better that I would hate to walk away from.

“These allegations against the mayor, however, are serious and I would like to give the mayor the opportunity to promptly and publicly respond to each allegation.

“In the absence of a rapid and credible explanation I would no longer, in good conscience, be able to serve.”

Allegations relating to financial mismanagement and matters relating to the democratic decision making process were among the claims in the letter.

Cllr Dennis McCabe, executive member for the environment, was also contacted for comment but not reached in time for this article. 

Cllr Chris Hobson also declined to comment when approached. 

Cllr Ashley Waters said he signed the letter because “he had integrity and honesty”. 

He added: “Things have come to light. I honestly believe if we’d been sat in a room, rather than on calls, and we’d had these conversations beforehand, this would have probably come before (now). 

“It’s not until we’ve sat in the same room together that we’ve been able to have these conversations so I think that’s more to do with it. 

“We have integrity and honesty and regardless of anything else – we’d rather do the right thing for the town.”

The letter revealed its signatories had requested an extraordinary council meeting in the event Mr Preston didn’t stand down – with the aim of a vote of no confidence in future.

Cllr High’s own letter, stepping away from the children’s services role, revealed his reasoning from resigning had developed over the past 12 months.

It added: “These circumstances now place me at a point where I can no longer be linked to you professionally or politically as you continue to misuse your position and your authority.”

Mr Preston released a strongly worded statement late on Tuesday – saying complaint should go through appropriate channels.

“Whatever I do, it’s always about putting Middlesbrough and its people first.” he added.

”I’ve done that for my two years as mayor and I was doing that for many years before I was elected, setting up and running two local charities that raised about £6m – nearly all of it for struggling Teesside people.

“I was elected with 59 per cent of the vote just two years ago to halt 40 years of decline in the town.

“Anyone can see that, despite the real challenge of Covid, I’m making massive progress in transforming the town for the better.

“If the public aren’t happy with the job I’m doing, they’ll have opportunity to vote me out at the election in two years’ time. 

“Any attempt to force me to go before then is both undemocratic and insulting to those who voted for me or anyone else at the election.”

Andy McDonald, Labour MP for Middlesbrough, said the mass resignations “sent a very clear message” about the leadership of Middlesbrough’s Mayor calling it “dysfunctional and untenable”.    

He added: “Let’s be clear – this is something I, and Labour councillors in Middlesbrough, have been expressing concerns about for a long time. 

“Mr Preston’s fundamental failure to comprehend and adhere to the Local Government environment to which he has been elected is at the root of these issues with wholly adverse consequences for the standing and reputation of our town.  

“Now the mayor must put own personal interests to one side and put our town first. 

“It is time, and it has been for some time, for him to resign.”

Simon Clarke, Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said the allegations were “incredibly serious”. 

He added: “The mayor needs to immediately, systematically, and publicly disprove them or his position will be untenable.”