Mystery surrounds the fate of a director of the Westcliff Casino after claims he had been forced to quit over his links with a potential rival.

The future of Tim Quinlan as a non-executive director was in doubt following allegations that he was associated with Billericay-based property developer Martin Dawn, which is planning a new casino as part of its Southend United stadium complex

A Westcliff Casino boss claimed Mr Quinlan, 61, was asked to leave his £15,000 a year role as a non-executive director when details of his association with Martin Dawn emerged.

The development company is planning a £46million leisure complex and football stadium at Fossetts Farm, off Eastern Avenue, Southend.

The centrepiece of the controversial project is a £12.5million stadium for the club, but there will also be a casino, hotel, cinema and restaurants on the 80-acre site.

Today Barry Hosier, finance director of Westcliff Casino on Western Esplanade, Southend, said: "Mr Quinlan was asked to resign and to be honest it was acrimonious, but he cannot serve two masters.

"He was with us for nearly three years after leaving his previous job as a director of Brent Walker, a company which also has extensive casino interests.

"We took him on because of his knowledge of casinos and he advised us during our case against London Clubs International on their casino at the Kursaal.

"We did not know of his connection with Martin Dawn but once we learnt of this he was made to resign immediately because there is clearly a conflict of interest."

Mr Quinlan, of Thorpe Bay Gardens, Southend, denied he had already left the Westcliff Casino Group. He said: "I am in negotiations with Westcliff Casino about my position at the company.

"I have spoken to Martin Dawn plc about their plans for a casino, but it is only to look into the possibility of Westcliff Casino perhaps operating it.

"There is no conflict with Martin Dawn, I am not involved with their Fossetts Farm development and I am not giving them any advice about their proposed casino."

As a non-executive director, Mr Quinlan worked part time for Westcliff Casino in an advisory capacity. Martin Dawn was unavailable for comment.

By James Howell

Reporter's e-mail: james.howell@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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