A HURTFUL slur and nonsense. 

That was Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston’s view of allegations he had brought financial gain to himself and his family’s business interests using public cash. 

Crisis hit the mayor’s leadership team this week as five independent executive members all resigned in a bombshell letter.

The group – including deputy mayor Cllr Antony High – levelled a raft of allegations at Mr Preston regarding his conduct.

Mr Preston has vehemently denied all the allegations in the letter in a strongly worded statement on Tuesday and in a string of posts throughout Wednesday which set out the accusations one by one. 

The letter went on to accuse the mayor of “continuing to act in a manner that brings financial gain to you and your family’s personal business interests through public funds”.

In his response, Mr Preston hit back – labelling the allegations “lies” and adding he was responding as he had “nothing to hide”. 

“This is perhaps the most hurtful slur,” he said. “Although very vague, this accusation is perhaps the most serious – it’s also nonsense. 

“I have never directed or influenced the direction of public funds towards me or my family. 

“I’ve always been open and up front that me and my family own property and some of that is property bought in Middlesbrough many years ago – this is well documented and has been covered by the local media over the years.”

All of Mr Preston’s business interests were released to the public at the time in 2019 soon after he was elected to the mayoral role. 

Before entering politics, Mr Preston had worked in London as an international financier, before returning to the North-East to set up a number of business ventures and charities.

The council’s public register of interests details where Mr Preston has a financial interest.

The list shows employment or business carried on by the mayor including addresses. 

It also outlines business or land in the borough where the mayor has an interest valued above £25,000 or “one hundredth of the total issued shared capital”. 

Employment or business interests of Andy Preston (source: Middlesbrough Council register of interests list as of 13/05/21)

Apartments Middlesbrough LLP – Boho 4, Cleveland Street, Middlesbrough 

Green Lane Capital (Boldon) LLP – Boho 4, Cleveland Street, Middlesbrough

Cobalt PSS LLP – 2nd Floor, Tirrem House, 16 High Street, Yarm 

Green Lane Capital (Hebburn) LLP – Boho 4, Cleveland Street, Middlesbrough

Old Exchange Darlington Ltd – Westminster, St Marks Court, Teesdale Business Park

Green Lane Capital (157 Albert Road) LLP, 157 Albert Road, Middlesbrough, Boho 4, Cleveland Street, Middlesbrough

Sound Training for Reading Ltd, Boho 4, Cleveland Street, Middlesbrough

Green Lane Capital (Albert Road LLP), Albert Road, Middlesbrough, Boho 4, Cleveland Street, Middlesbrough

Port Clarence Land Limited – 2nd floor, Tirrem House, 16 High Street, Yarm

Green Lane Capital (Gibson House Middlesbrough) LLP, Gibson House, Middlesbrough, Boho 4, Cleveland Street, Middlesbrough

City of Ironopolis Limited – Boho One, Bridge Street West, Middlesbrough. 

Green Lane Capital (N/E) LLP – Boho 4, Cleveland Street, Middlesbrough,

LevelQ Limited – Manor Farm House, Horsington, Templecombe, Somerset

Preston Cherry LLP – Manor House Farm, Horsington, Templecombe, Somerset

Adludio 10c – Warner Street, London

Animmersion UK Limited – Boho One, Bridge Street West, Middlesbrough

Chadex Limited – Ye Olde Hundred, 69 Church Way, North Shields

Comply IT – Unit 12, Arkgrove Industrial Estate, Ross Road, Stockton

Coursebox – Surtees Business Park, Stockton

Gecko Labs – 86-90, 4th Floor, Paul Street, London

Givey Limited – 3rd Floor, 14 Hanover Street, Hanover Square, London

Selection Services Ltd – 81-85 Station Road, Croydon

SocialRel8 Limited – Bridge Street West, The Boho Zone, Middlesbrough

Techquity – Commerce House, 1 Exchange Square, Middlesbrough

Vertex Components – Surtees Business Park, Stockton

W Series – 46-48 Grosvenor Gardens, London

CEO Sleepout

Interest in business or land in authority area (Source: Middlesbrough Council register of interests as of 13/05/21)

Apartments Middlesbrough LLP

Green Lane Capital (157 Albert Road) LLP

Sound Training for Reading Ltd

Green Lane Capital (Gibson House, Middlesbrough) LLP

City of Ironopolis Limited

Green Lane Capital (N/E) LLP

Animmersion UK Limited

SocialRel8 Limited

Techquity

CEO Sleepout

Meanwhile, the political leadership and decision-making capabilities of the council’s executive remains in limbo after the shock resignations this week.

The letter signed by Cllr High, Cllr Dennis McCabe, Cllr Chris Hobson, Cllr Ashley Waters and Cllr Dorothy Davison stated they no longer had confidence in the mayor due what they alleged was his “consistent poor conduct and behaviour”.

The letter stated: “It is collectively agreed that we can no longer support you in the mayoral position due to your consistent poor conduct and behaviour.

It later added: “We have lost all confidence in your ability to lead the town forward as elected mayor.”

Mr Preston strenuously denied the allegations branding them “completely untrue” – and adding those who believe wrong had been done should have gone through the “appropriate channels” to complain to the council. 

He added: “I was elected with 59 per cent of the vote just two years ago to halt 40 years of decline in the town. 

“Anyone can see that, despite the real challenge of covid, I’m making massive progress in transforming the town for the better.

“If the public aren’t happy with the job I’m doing, they’ll have the opportunity to vote me out at the election in two years’ time. 

“Any attempt to force me to go before then is both undemocratic and insulting to those who voted for me or anyone else at the election.

“Yet again, this is about those who don’t like the fact that I’m a very different mayor than any other. I do things differently, I challenge the status quo and I clearly upset a few people along the way who’d like things to stay just how they are.

“Clearly some people want me to resign. But I’ve got bad news for them – I won’t.”

Chief executive Tony Parkinson wrote to reassure staff on Wednesday afternoon in the wake of the political turmoil – revealing “scenario planning” was taking place over whether Mr Preston filled his executive, didn’t fill posts, or opted to step down. 

Mr Parkinson’s email added: “It is a fact of life that political disagreements are a regular occurrence and at times this can create periods of turbulence.

“But with robust planning and action I am confident that we will continue to make great progress in the delivery of our strategic plan. 

“I will keep you up to date as the current situation develops but in the meantime please be reassured that there is no cause for concern and continue to deliver in the way that you always do.”