‘Jacks’ want names cleared

Two Hume councillors at the centre of claims about alleged intimidating behaviour have called for a report from the investigation to be released.

Councillors Jack Ogilvie and Steve ‘‘Jack’’ Medcraft fronted an independent inquiry late last year after the council received several formal complaints following a fiery meeting in Broadmeadows last September about Sunbury’s separation from Hume.

Both councillors claim the subsequent investigation cleared them of all complaints. ‘‘It was an independent panel that cleared Jack and I of all claims,” Cr Ogilvie said. ‘‘I want it released so it clears our names.’’ Cr Medcraft said the two councillors had been ‘‘crucified’’. ‘‘The claims were made in public; the report should be made public also,’’ he said.

Sunbury resident and pro-split supporter Trevor Dance said the report should be released with any sensitive sections ‘‘blacked out’’.

But council chief executive Domenic Isola said the report would not be made public. ‘‘The investigation findings can’t be disclosed due to privacy and confidentiality considerations, and the fact that they are subject to legal professional privilege.’’ Mr Isola confirmed a meeting last week between the council and Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins had covered a range of issues about the Sunbury project.

Matt Crossman