Disgraced councillors claimed thousands while being investigated by police (From Harrow Times)

Disgraced Harrow councillors Brian Gate and David Gawn claimed thousands while being investigated by police

4:10pm Wednesday 6th February 2013 in News By Jaber Mohamed

Brian Gate was arrested in September 2012

Two disgraced councillors accused of criminal offences claimed thousands of pounds from the public purse while legal proceedings against them were active.

Councillor Brian Gate, former portfolio holder for children, schools and families, continued to receive £680-a-month from taxpayers despite being arrested in September last year on suspicion of possession of indecent images of children.

Although the former cabinet member's special responsibility allowance was stopped the day after his arrest, he only stopped claiming the basic members’ allowance when he resigned last month, having racked up more than £2,700 since his arrest.

Independent councillor David Gawn, who pleaded guilty to fraud offences in December, also continued to claim his allowance despite a court-imposed curfew preventing him from attending council meetings for six weeks.

The politician was able to claim the cash throughout the legal proceedings against him, which dragged out over 12 months from January last year.

The Harrow-on-the-Hill representative, who remains a member of Harrow Borough Council despite being thrown out of the Labour group over the charges, pleaded guilty in December and was given a ten-week suspended jail sentence.

The news has angered opposition councillors who say the situation is unfair on taxpayers.

Cllr Susan Hall, leader of the Harrow Conservative Group, said: “I am stunned that David Gawn has not had the decency to resign.

“Their criminality is bad enough but for somebody to continue to claim taxpayers’ money is totally unacceptable.”

Cllr Hall also questioned why the Labour group had continued to receive allowances for the two councillors to support its office. 

She added: "The Labour Group also has serious questions to answer. If Cllr Gawn was apparently suspended from the Group by the Labour Party nationally and Cllr Gate was ‘administratively suspended’, according to the previous leader, why did Labour continue to receive their allowance payments into their group budget?”

A Labour group spokesperson said: “By law councillors are entitled to their basic allowance for as long as they remain an elected member of the council. 

“There is a fundamental principle in English Law that you are innocent until proven guilty.

“Although a Councillor is administratively suspended, it is a neutral act not implying guilt or innocence. 

“Allowances continue to be paid until investigations are finalised.

“Brian Gate was paid his basic allowance until he resigned as a councillor on January 9 – two days after he received a police caution.

“Cllr Gawn remains a ward councillor and is entitled to his basic allowance. By law Cllr Gawn may continue in his role despite his suspended sentence.

“Neither Brian Gate or Councillor Gawn are a member of the Labour Party or Harrow Labour group."