Moreton Bay Mayor Allan Sutherland charged by CCC

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland has been automatically suspended from his job after he was last night charged by the state’s corruption watchdog. He says he intends to defend the charges.

Moreton Bay Mayor Allan Sutherland

MORETON Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland has been automatically suspended from his job after he was last night charged by the state’s corruption watchdog.

Deputy Mayor Mike Charlton will be appointed acting mayor until the local government elections in March.

In a statement, Cr Charlton insisted the council would continue to function as normal.

“Following the suspension of Mayor Allan Sutherland, I have met with the Acting CEO to discuss Council’s operations moving forward,” he said.

“The Acting CEO has advised that no staff are to communicate with Cr Sutherland, or with any other person acting on his behalf, in connection with any matters of official Council business.

“In relation to the charges against Cr Sutherland, it is inappropriate to provide comment as the matter is before the courts.”

It comes after Cr Sutherland was yesterday charged by the Crime and Corruption Commission with two counts of misconduct in relation to public office contrary to section 92A (1)(c) of the Queensland Criminal Code.

In a statement sent from his lawyer, Cr Sutherland said he intended to defend the charges fully.

“Given that these charges are now before the court, I am limited in what I can say,” he said on Wednesday night.

“What I can say though is that I have always acted honestly and in the best interests of the ratepayers of the Moreton Bay Region.

“I intend to defend these charges fully, and I am confident that my position will be vindicated when all of the evidence is available and considered.”

Under the law, councillors and mayors who are charged with certain offences are automatically suspended from their job.

Cr Sutherland is expected to front Brisbane Magistrate’s Court on February 5 next year.

In a statement last night, the CCC said its investigation remained ongoing and it was unable to comment further as the matter was before the courts.

Cr Sutherland announced in August that he would retire at the March local government elections after spending 26 years in local government, including 16 as a mayor.

He was the former mayor of Redcliffe City Council and was elected mayor of Moreton Bay Regional Council in 2008 and re-elected in 2012 and March 2016.

The CCC on September 2 stated that it was investigating Moreton Bay Regional ­Council over a number of ­allegations.

It said one of those related to Cr Sutherland.