Nottingham Post: City's communications head taking unpaid leave

City's communications head taking unpaid leave

NOTTINGHAM City Council's director of communications is to take five months' unpaid leave – before the authority has completed an investigation into whether public money was used to support a Labour Party publicity campaign.

Stephen Barker's temporary leave began on Friday.

He said he was taking advantage of the offer of unpaid leave extended to council staff as part of the authority's efforts to save money in 2011-12.

But concern has been expressed that Mr Barker will not be available to assist the ongoing inquiry set up by Jane Todd, chief executive of the Labour-controlled council......