Harrow Borough Council 'followed proper procedures' in Brian Gate indecent images scandal

1:00pm Thursday 10th January 2013 in News By Emma Innes

Brian Gate has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for two years Brian Gate has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for two years

Harrow Borough Council has stressed the safety of children is “of paramount importance” after a former councillor was cautioned for possessing indecent images of children.

The council has released a statement, following news that former councillor Brian Gate, who was cabinet member for children, schools and families, has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

A spokesman said: “As soon as Harrow Council became aware of the allegation in September, we immediately followed all proper safeguarding procedures and the Labour Party suspended Brian Gate from his appointed duties. Councillor Gate also immediately resigned as portfolio holder and from his governorships.

“Following a police investigation, with which he has fully co-operated, Cllr Gate received a caution on Monday. He has since tendered his resignation as a councillor.

“The safety and wellbeing of children and young people in Harrow remains of paramount importance to the council and we will not take any risks whatsoever when it comes to their safety.”

Mr Gate was arrested at his Harrow home on September 24, 2012, on suspicion of possession of indecent images of children.

The 58-year-old was bailed pending further enquiries.

On Monday he was cautioned for the offence and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for two years.

He had been in his post as portfolio holder for children since May 2012 and had been responsible for schools and families since Labour took control of the council in 2010.

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Comments(16)

Harrow Rani says...
3:04pm Thu 10 Jan 13

I suppose he too has been paid his full salary whilst on suspension despite the seriousness of the allegations against him? Well, I say good riddance. He is one of many that served no useful purpose in the council. I look forward to many more falling on their swords in time to come.

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starbright says...
3:40pm Thu 10 Jan 13

I am absolutely disgusted with the fact that as usual Harrow Council are keeping us in the dark! Why do we not know the full story as to what led to ex Cllr Gate being cautioned and put on the sex offenders register beyond what was reported previously? There are still questions also over an ex deputy head being paid full salary for 2 and a half years whilst on suspension! Whilst this person was acquitted in a court of a law for Historic sexual abuse on children, the council admit that a further investigation which took another year has led to him finally being released from employment with them! Again no one has stepped forward to say what this further investigation was about? It should also be noted that Harrow Council refused a few months ago to release information on records that they should have ,on anyone in their employment being accused of abuse against children! This was a report called 'safe from harm', and where as many other authorities released this information Harrow refused to! Surely the question should be asked have they got something to hide?

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Harrow Rani says...
3:51pm Thu 10 Jan 13

Blimey Starbright! is ther anything about this Council that you dont know? I think you should stand for Councillor given your knowledge on such matters. With Cllr Gate's demise, there is an opening for someone like you!

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Harrow Rani says...
4:03pm Thu 10 Jan 13

Starbright you must apply for Mr Gate's vacated post. You appear to know more about this area and frankly other matters related to the council than the elected Councillors. I have been reading your posts carefully and you always seem to be well informed and appear to have taken the trouble to understand policies that apply. Well done!

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starbright says...
4:20pm Thu 10 Jan 13

Thank you Harrow Rani, you are not the first person to have suggested this!But knowing what I do, and how adept Harrow Council are at covering things up, I simply could not work with the people at the top who care more about keeping the good name of the Council, and always doing everything in their power to maintain this stance! It should also be known that both Brent and Harrow refused to send out historic letters to parents at the time of the Deputy Head case! Reason given, would cost too much money, and they are supposed to care?

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jackdaw says...
5:06pm Thu 10 Jan 13

This man was in charge of children's welfare at Harrow Council. It would seem to fit the category "you couldn't make it up".

Ordinary individuals have CRB checks made on them for jobs and voluntary positions such as Neighbourhood Champions. How did he slip through the net?

I can understand why Starbright does not want to be involved with the Council/Councilors. He/she is right to be fussy about the company they keep. I wish there were more independent councillors and then perhaps there would be less cover ups for the good of the party.

One cannot begin to imagine what the children in those photographs have gone through to provide Councillor Gate the opportunity to view the perverted images. Without customers like him the children would not be exploited.

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SeaBee says...
10:26am Fri 11 Jan 13

Jackdaw "How did he slip through the net?" Very simply, he had not been convicted or accused of any offence at the time that he was appointed. CRB checks are not magic, they can only identify what is on a notoriously inaccurate computer system.

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Harrow Rani says...
10:40am Fri 11 Jan 13

@ Jack Dawe - Jack there is no question that in principle you are right. However, with no previous on record ( so we are told) it would not have been possible to detect his perverted preferences. The question is, just how long did the council know about this before the police were involved and whether they acted appropriately and immediately on receiving the information. I like many people, am wrestling with the Caution he has been issued. We know who he is, so if we see him enjoying the luxury of his freedom in our Borough, then we know to keep our children away from him. I would be happier if he left our Borough altogether but he has his human rights and probably another job lined up locally as a Consultant !

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starbright says...
4:23pm Fri 11 Jan 13

Seabea are you 100% sure that Cllr Gate had a CRB check done on him? Because if you are not, then a full scale inquiry needs to be held within the Council. Not just about Cllr Gate, but also others in the last few years in Harrow, that have been caught up in child abuse scandals. Weald school had a notice to improve put in place and one of their many failures was not always getting CRB checks done! They also had a Deputy head accused of Historical child abuse, whilst later acquitted, I believe we should know whether a CRB check was done anyway!

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starbright says...
4:29pm Fri 11 Jan 13

Standard line from Harrow Council not for the first time ' We followed proper procedures'. Well if this is the case, then surely they will be supportive and transparent about holding an inquiry!

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Harrow Rani says...
4:51pm Fri 11 Jan 13

Harrow council and transparency?In the same sentence ? You jest surely Starbirght!

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Jeremy Zeid says...
6:17pm Fri 11 Jan 13

AS SeeBee rightly points out, the CRB is a highly flawed system, put in bu politicians, eager to be seen to be "doing something".

Realistically, short of "chipping" us and only allowing us out with a State appoved "minder" to watch over our every move, it is impossible to stop this sort of thing happening.

In reality, the CRB has blinded schools, authorities and others to what is going on under their noses, purely because of the imagined infallibility embued on the CRB.

Remember, Cllr Gate had a full CRB check. Remember likewise that the teacher who absconded to France with a 15yr old girl, and the female nursery teachers in Portsmouth who sytematically sexually abused and filmed their charges, all with ENHANCED CRBs.

Conversely, there are thousands of decent people who refuse to go through the indignity of gaining "permission", a "Permissable Social Interaction Licence", from fallible faceless bureaucrats often with duff data, killing off thespirit of volunteering as well as any sense of trust.

Sorry mate, no CRB Licence, obviously a nonce, while real nonces with CRBs continue with impunity, and officialdom keeps sctum for fear of making waves. Jimmy Savile anyone.

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Roadstar says...
11:34pm Fri 11 Jan 13

Slap on the wrist!!

This is the example for our community.

Now Abu Qatada is out the picture, new criminal who should be locked up and throw away the key.

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jackdaw says...
11:52am Sat 12 Jan 13

As well as the caution and entry on the sex offenders' list perhaps Brian Gate should be sentenced to a free trip to Jordan with Abu Qatada accompanying him as his spiritual advisor.

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DimSum says...
4:16am Sun 13 Jan 13

Harrow ! Chuckle, you really have to laugh.

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Roadstar says...
11:29am Sun 13 Jan 13

DimSum, as I have told you before, make sense when you put comments on.

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