Cllr. Andrew Makinson has apologised

MERSEYTRAVEL'S Chairman Cllr. Mark Dowd is pleased that Cllr. Andrew Makinson has apologised unreservedly for releasing unwarranted, harmful and upsetting comments to the press.

Cllr. Makinson released information to the media despite knowing that the contents of his press release were deliberately inaccurate. He has conceded that he had prior knowledge of the fact his releases were misleading, yet still released them to local journalists.

Cllr. Makinson has therefore issued the following apology to Cllr. Dowd:-

Merseytravel and Cllr. Dowd had shared with Cllr. Makinson information he requested in accordance with both best practice and legislation, and always welcome and accept the need for public scrutiny.

Cllr. Makinson asked the District Auditor to investigate his claims, and the District Auditor determined there was no cause to investigate Merseytravel or Cllr. Dowd.

Cllr. Makinson accepts in this apology that Cllr. Dowd has not misused a Merseytravel Corporate Procurement card.

In view of this now resolved legal action, brought by Cllr. Dowd, Merseytravel did not fund any part of the case. Merseytravel did fund its own legal advice in view of reputational damage caused to the organisation by untrue comments published and circulated. This is a legitimate course of action accepted by the District Auditor.

Merseytravel and Cllr. Dowd would like to return to the most important matter in hand, co-ordinating public transport through partnership initiatives, with the aim of delivering a fully integrated, environmentally friendly, public transport network that is accessible to all.