A council leader has been cleared of any wrongdoing by the Standards Board.

Colchester MP Bob Russell had complained to the board about John Jowers, leader of Colchester Council.

Mr Russell alleged Mr Jowers gave a developer premature planning permission to start work on the Stanway bypass road before the council had finalised the planning agreements with the landowners.

The Standards Board heard the developer wanted to start preliminary work clearing hedges on his land, which Mr Jowers said would be acceptable.

But the Ethical Standards Officer said Mr Jowers had no personal interest in the work and no action would be taken.

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Published Friday, November 25, 2005

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