No police action against ex-Cornwall councillor

Police have confirmed no further action will be taken against a former Cornwall Council member who breached the authority's code of conduct.

Louis Gardner, former cabinet member for the economy, did not declare an interest when approving a £200,000 grant from the council to Spaceport Cornwall despite accepting a new job at the Spaceport days before.

A complaint against Mr Gardner's actions was made to police, but the Devon and Cornwall force has confirmed officers had now concluded an investigation.

Mr Gardner, who stood down from the council and resigned from the Spaceport post, has been approached for a comment, but previously apologised for breaching the code.

Spaceport Cornwall is based at Newquay Airport and is owned by one of the council's arms-length firms.

Devon and Cornwall Police said in early April they were investigating following a report of misconduct in public office by an individual in the Newquay area.

Mr Gardner, from Newquay, stepped down as the council's head of the economy on taking the Spaceport job and retired as a councillor on 1 May.

Cornwall Council withdrew the £200,000 funding in April and Mr Gardner resigned from Spaceport Cornwall in May.

Details of the matter were heard at the final meeting of Cornwall Council before the election on 1 May.

The then ruling Conservative group was voted out at the election and there is now a Liberal Democrat/Independent administration leading.

The new administration has started a review of the relationship between the authority and its arms-length companies in light of what happened.

The council said it would not be commenting on the police decision as it was a police matter.

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