MP to back residents over sex club (From Daily Echo)

MP to back residents over sex club

4:24pm Thursday 7th March 2013 in News

A HAMPSHIRE MP has vowed to back residents after the Daily Echo uncovered a sex club operating in the heart of his constituency.

Fareham MP Mark Hoban pledged to “voice the concerns” of homeowners in the town if they contact him to complain about the venue.

As reported yesterday, a Daily Echo investigation revealed that the monthly fetish parties were being run from the spacious home of a senior Hampshire councillor, on The Avenue.

The “MissUse” party nights, which are not illegal, have been held on a regular basis at the three-bedroom house for around a year, with visitors flocking to the property to take part in sexual games, including ropes, chains, whips and even electrical equipment.

Fareham Borough Council leader Cllr Sean Woodward last night said that an investigation, led by the council’s director of regulatory services, Gary White, was “taking place urgently”.

Cllr Woodward told the Daily Echo that he expects to “hear something back by the end of the week” regarding whether the club requires consent from either the planning or licensing committees.

Meanwhile Portsmouth City Council chiefs said they would be talking to Cllr David Fuller about his involvement in the parties, but said that the councillors’ code of conduct did not apply to “behaviour in a private capacity”.

Last night Mr Hoban backed the investigations – and assured residents that he would support them if called upon to do so.

Mr Hoban told the Daily Echo: “The position has been set out by Sean Woodward quite clearly, about whether the club requires planning consent and the fact that the council are looking into that.

“If it’s a planning matter then I’m sure the council will deal with it appropriately.

“If I am contacted by any of my constituents then I will be happy to raise their concerns with the authorities.

“All I can do is write to the council or the police if it becomes a wider issue and voice the concerns of my constituents.

“As yet I have to say that no one has come to me to complain about the club, but it is clear that constituents have been wound up by news of these activities in what is quite a suburban area.”

Mr Hoban refused to be drawn on the prospect of disciplinary action against Cllr Fuller, saying that was the responsibility of Portsmouth City Council leaders.

He added: “It’s right that they are looking into it and if Cllr Fuller has broken his code of conduct in any way I’m sure the council will take appropriate action.

“That’s not for me to get involved in.”

Last night, Portsmouth City Council’s chief executive, David Williams, said: “As this is a personal matter it's not for us to discuss further.

“There is a code of conduct councillors are expected to adhere to, but this does not strictly apply to their behaviour in a private capacity.

“If we do receive a complaint about the conduct of a councillor then it will be investigated by the governance, audit and standards committee.”