Ian Cook runs for election to Greater Dandenong City Council in 2024 council elections

The former I Cook Foods boss has revealed he is running for election to the very same council with which he’s embroiled in a bitter legal battle.

Ian Cook has announced he will run for election to Greater Dandenong City Council, the very council Mr Cook is embroiled in a bitter battle with over the long running ‘Slug Gate’ saga.

“If councils act corruptly with that much power, it can destroy lives,” Mr Cook said. “That’s what they tried to do to me.

“But rather than complain about it, I intend to fight council corruption from within.”

Ian Cook has announced he will run for election to City of Greater Dandenong Council.

A slug was allegedly planted on the premises of Mr Cook’s I Cook Foods (ICF) business by a council officer in 2019.

Mr Cook was forced to shut down ICF and lay off 41 staff members.

Dandenong Council later dropped 96 food safety charges levelled at Mr Cook and ICF.

The legal dispute between Mr Cook and the council over the slug-based drama has reached the Supreme Court, where Mr Cook is seeking substantial damages.

The court recently dismissed a council attempt to have the matter thrown out.

Dandenong Council has appealed that decision.

Mr Cook will challenge incumbent councillor Phillip Danh for election to the Yarraman Ward in October’s election.

Yarraman is set to be a two horse race, with Mr Danh and Mr Cook the only two candidates declared to the Victorian Electoral Commission.

Mr Cook insisted his decision to stand was about more than his personal grievances with the council.

Ian Cook previously ran for the seat of Mulgrave and finished second behind Labour’s Eden Foster. Picture: Tim Carafa

“This isn’t about me, this is about ensuring that council starts to focus on the issues that matter to ratepayers,” Mr Cook said

“It must cut council spending and it must reduce council rates.

“Council should also remove graffiti within 24 hours of it going up, so there is no incentive for people to put up the graffiti in the first place, because no-one will see it.”

This is not the first foray into politics for Mr Cook, who previously finished second behind Labour’s Eden Foster when he stood for Daniel Andrews’ former seat of Mulgrave in the 2023 by-election triggered by Mr Andrews’ resignation as Premier.

“We appreciate every candidate’s willingness to serve the Greater Dandenong community by nominating for the Council Elections,” Greater Dandenong City Council Chief Executive Officer Jacqui Weatherill said.

“It is not appropriate for us to comment on any individual candidate’s nomination.”