One of three Teignbridge councillors accused of breaking conduct rules has said his detractors are guilty of a 'no smoke without fire attack' and had acted disingenuously by talking to the press before informing him. Cllrs David Cox, Brian Berman and Alan Connett, the council leader, have been referred to the Standards Board for England. The Kingsteignton Residents' Environmental Awareness Group claims that the men each failed to declare a prejudicial interest when making decisions relating to the 'northern option' that might result in former clay pits being developed into a 1,700 home community. KREAG has also accused county Cllr John Smith of preventing the public from obtaining information 'to which they were entitled' regarding land owned by Clifford Estates that is also earmarked for development. KREAG chairman Jim White submitted the complaints last week and his press officer, Ken Tuckett, issued a statement to the press on Tuesday. But by Wednesday afternoon, Cllr Cox had yet to hear anything official and was angry that he had to learn of the accusation from reporters. 'I am very disappointed to hear through the media that KREAG has reported me to the Standards Board for England,' he told this newspaper. 'This sort of conduct is firmly condemned by the Standards Board itself and I feel it was discourteous not to inform me personally. 'I can only assume that they hope to generate a "no smoke without fire" scenario in which the reputation of Liberal Democrat councillors is damaged before the Standards Board has had the chance to consider if their complaints even warrant investigation. 'I have no doubt that I will be exonerated by the Standards Board.' Cllr Connett took a similar stance and also tackled KREAG's claim that as the councillor for Exminster he had attempted to divert new homes away from Alphington and into Kingsteignton. 'I haven't represented Exminster since the reorganisation in 2003 but if KREAG want their day in court so be it,' he said. Michelle Kenney, for Teignbridge Council, confirmed the council had received no formal notification of the referrals. She said the Standards Board would follow normal procedure and decide to act only if there was evidence that councillors had failed to comply with the code of conduct.
