It may be that Councillor McDonald was singled out for this very reason.

Unfortunately for local residents, the local government ombudsman is unable to acts and has stated that his powers do not allow him to intervene on inefficient spending, only if the process leading to the spending decision is undemocratic.

With Conservative councillors outnumbering the Liberal Democrats on the council and on the Old Malden Neighbourhood committee, this inefficiency is likely to continue.

One big issue remains Conservative councillors have again made use of a loophole in the law that means that it is very difficult for any person to sue for slander or libel, unless as a result loss of income can be proved.  If this law was changed, then it may help Conservatives to tidy up political behavior among their ranks.

Councillor McDonald could take the issue to the standards committee, but since the largest influence sitting at that committee would be Conservative, it is likely to be ineffective.

However if the details in the accusation were even partially correct the police would have been brought in.  However a false report made to police would allow officers to bring the individual or group making those charges to account in court, on grounds of wasting police time.  

Old Malden Conservatives have here been very shrewd in not making any legal charges and so not exposing themselves to criminal charges in return.

The recent attack from the Conservatives has been viewed very disapprovingly among councillors from other parties.  With one Conservative councillor already resigning from the Party due to concerns involving party property while others are believed to also be contemplating resigning for associated reasons.

Meanwhile Labor councilors are said to also be among those who are growing unhappy with Conservative failures.  

Unfortunately Conservatives may well sit this out till 2002 when the borough gets a chance to elect a new council and they will look for increased powers.