Today Iain announced that he was stepping down from his position as Chair of Hartlepool Partnership.

After three years as Chair, Iain resigned from the position to comply with the Ministerial Code. The town’s MP was recently given the post of junior Communities and Local Government Minister by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

According to the Ministerial Code, published in July 2007,
“When they take up office, Ministers should give up any other public appointment they hold. Where exceptionally it is proposed that such an appointment should be retained, the Minister should seek the advice of their Permanent Secretary.”

Iain said

“I had a meeting last week with the Permanent Secretary at the Department of Communities and Local Government, where I am now a Minister, to discuss my position as Chair of Hartlepool Partnership. His strong advice was to adhere to the Ministerial Code. I do not want to do anything which could possibly compromise the Partnership or leave it open to any form of criticism. I therefore feel it is in the best interests of the Partnership if I resign as Chair.

I have greatly enjoyed my time as Chair, and believe that the Partnership has done a lot for the town over the past few years. I will remain a strong advocate of Hartlepool within the Government and I wish the Partnership the very best in the future.”