A cross party motion will be put before Portsmouth Council to get pervy MP Mike Hancock to cough up for the legal costs of the extensive cover up instigated by the old Liberal Democrat regime in the city, concerning his sexual harassment of a mentally ill constituent. Both the Tories and Labour are signed up to this motion that is expected to easily pass:

(f) Proposed by Councillor Alistair Thompson
Seconded by Councillor John Ferrett

The City Council is concerned at the conduct of one its former members’ who has admitted to abusing his position of trust. He has admitted to harassing a resident, making repeated unwanted sexual advances and conduct that falls below the standards expected of a Parliamentarian or a member of this Council.

Over the last four years the Council has spent tens of thousands of pounds investigating this matter, both through court and legal fees and officer time – This at a time when the Council is faced with making cuts to front line services.

The Council believes that this is an unsatisfactory situation.

The Council therefore requests the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee to do the following:

1. Instruct officers to prepare a detailed breakdown of the full costs of this affair
2. To write to all members with this information
3. To write to the former member requesting that given this unnecessary burden on the taxpayers of Portsmouth that now he has admitted to these appalling actions he might chose to repay this sum and thus ease the financial burden on residents
4. To consider legal action to reclaim these costs if he refuses.

A council source tells Guido the bill could easily reach £100,000.