Jeff
McQuillan, the consultant engaged by the Wharfedale Trail Forum to carry
out the public consultation exercise, has been cleared by the Royal Town
Planning Institute over a complaint that a conflict of interest existed
between his work on the Wharfedale Trail, and his previous work for Sustrans
and Bradford Council. The RTPI found no evidence of a conflict of
interest.
News
of the investigation brought forth calls from anti-trail campaigners for Mr.McQuillan to be
removed from the consultation. In addition, a series of spiteful, anonymous comments
were posted on the internet, alleging that his professional reputation was
"in tatters".
In
spite of this, and other shameful attacks that have been made
against him, Mr.McQuillan has maintained his dignity, and continued to conduct the consultation
fairly and impartially. Perhaps those who sought to smear him will now
have the decency to acknowledge
that, far from being "in tatters", his reputation remains INTACT.