Former Rotherham council boss Ged Fitzgerald suspended four months after arrest

FORMER Rotherham Council boss Ged Fitzgerald has been suspended by current employers Liverpool Council four months after being arrested over suspected financial irregularities.

It was announced in May that the Liverpool chief executive was voluntarily stepping aside from the role while a police investigation was held into his conduct while at Lancashire County Council.

But a Liverpool Council panel yesterday agreed to officially suspend Mr Fitzgerald (pictured), who was chief executive at Rotherham Borough Council from 2000 to 2003, from his post.

Mr Fitzgerald is on bail on suspicion of witness intimidation and conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

A spokesman for Liverpool Council said: “We can confirm that the City Council’s Appointments and Disciplinary Panel met to discuss the circumstances surrounding the chief executive, Ged Fitzgerald. 

“After deliberating carefully, the Panel took the decision to suspend him.

“We must stress this is a neutral act to allow an independent investigation into issues, including potential reputational impacts on the City Council at the current time, to proceed.”

It is understood Mr Fitzgerald will continue to be paid his salary, reported to be £200,000 a year.

“It is important for the City Council, the Panel and the chief executive that the investigator is able to make an objective assessment and therefore we are not able to make any further comment at this stage,” the spokesman added.

The investigation into Mr Fitzgerald relates to a £5 million contract Lancashire Council had with BT.