Exclusive: Ged Fitzgerald resigns as chief executive of Liverpool City Council
It is understood Mr Fitzgerald handed in his resignation on Monday and follows reports the council had begun a process that would have led to his dismissal. Tony McDonough reports
Ged Fitzgerald has resigned as chief executive of Liverpool City Council, LBN can reveal.
It is understood he handed in his resignation on Monday and follows reports the council had begun a process that would have led to his dismissal. It appears he has decided to jump before he is pushed.
Mr Fitzgerald had been under suspension from the council. This followed his arrest in May last year by Lancashire Police, along with three other men, on suspicion of conspiring to pervert the course of justice and intimidating witnesses.
He remains on bail as part that investigation – Operation Sheridan – which relates to fraud allegations at Lancashire County Council, where he previously held the CEO post. Last month, Mr Fitzgerald launched an unsuccessful attempt at a judicial review of his arrest.
For several months after his arrest Mr Fitzgerald continued his role as chief executive at Liverpool until he was suspended in September last year. He maintains he is innocent of all the allegations and LBN understands he was determined to return to his job once he was cleared.
However, in April the council called him in to a meeting of the its appointments and disciplinary committee where it is understood a recommendation was made to dismiss him from his post.
That process would have reached a conclusion with a full meeting of the council and it now seems clear he has decided to go of his own volition rather than be dismissed.
A Liverpool City Council spokesperson told LBN it does not comment on individual employees but it was reported Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson told council staff the news today. In a message he said: “Ged Fitzgerald has resigned from his post as CEO of Liverpool City Council with immediate effect.
“I can confirm that he wrote to me this morning and tendered his resignation, which the council has accepted.”
Mr Fitzgerald himself declined to comment.