Simon Overland urged to quit Whittlesea Council CEO role over Lawyer X scandal
Four councillors are urging Simon Overland to resign as chief executive of Whittlesea Council because of his involvement in the Lawyer X scandal. Staff have received a death threat on behalf of the former chief commissioner.
VIC News
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Former police chief Simon Overland is under pressure to quit his $400,000-a-year job as chief executive of Whittlesea council, amid safety fears following a death threat.
Four out of 11 Whittlesea councillors have called for the former chief commissioner to step down.
Councillors Ricky Kirkham, Alahna Desiato, Norm Kelly and Caz Monteleone say Mr Overland, likely to be a major witness at a royal commission into the Lawyer X police informant scandal, should step aside for ratepayers’ sake.
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It comes amid revelations last night that Victoria Police spent $4.52 million in legal costs trying to stop the Lawyer X scandal becoming public.
“Our priority throughout has been the safety of the lawyer and her family who we feared would be murdered if identifying informationwas released,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.
The Whittlesea councillors plan to move a motion to sack Mr Overland at the next council meeting if he refuses to quit.
But Whittlesea mayor Lawrie Cox is backing his chief executive, who he said was a victim of “party politics”.
A council customer service officer received a death threat after Mr Overland’s appointment in August last year.
Cr Desiato said she was concerned that criminals could attack Mr Overland at a council meeting.
“He should resign,” she said. “This puts councillors and staff in an awkward position.”
Cr Kelly said Mr Overland could not “do his duties” while being the subject of a royal commission, and he had upset some dangerous people.
“We’re not talking about people who have stolen a packet of chewy at a milk bar. These are hardened criminals,” Cr Kelly said.
Mr Overland was Victoria Police deputy commissioner when a gangland lawyer, dubbed Lawyer X, was used as a police informer in an attempt to end Melbourne’s bloody underworld war.
He held regular meetings with Lawyer X and is reported to have dismissed concerns about using her as a source.
The Herald Sun revealed Lawyer X received a $2.9 million payout from Victoria Police, and that senior officers were “very worried” she would reveal how they used her.
She claimed to have provided information that led to the arrest of, or laying of charges against, 386 people. Those convicted with the use of information provided by her could now appeal, and possibly seek compensation, on the basis of a breach of legal professional privilege.
Cr Kirkham told the Herald Sun Mr Overland should walk.
“I believe he should stand down or resign,” he said.
“I was mayor during the recruitment process of Simon and I raised concerns. After he was appointed in August the council received death threats following the public announcement of his role.
“As CEO, he still has a public role. It’s totally distracting and I’m hoping he see what he’s doing is problematic or I believe we should force the decision.”
An email from Mr Kirkham to Mr Overland, seen by the Herald Sun, demands he explain his actions to the council and raises concerns that staff may not be safe if the former police boss attends events.
The email, sent on Thursday at 9.10am, claims council staff have received death threats on behalf of Mr Overland, with some councillors refusing to attend events if he was there.
“I find it extraordinary that, given recent media reporting, there has been no written correspondence from you, to us, as your employer, about how you will handle these matters in relation to your role as CEO of the City of Whittlesea,” Mr Kirkham wrote.
“I understand a number of councillors will not be attending public council meetings until they are appropriately satisfied of their safety. This should be of significant concern, as it will directly impact their ability to represent residents.”
Cr Monteleone told the Herald Sun that he was concerned for his safety.
“I believe there should be a safety assessment, I’d have to assess whether I would go to meetings,” he said.
Cr Monteleone said Mr Overland should consider whether he could continue in his job after this week’s revelations that he held meetings with Lawyer X and refused to stop using her as a police informer.
Asked whether he should resign, Cr Monteleone said: “It’s a matter for him, but it’s a matter he should consider. His job is to serve the community and the administration and if he’s capable of doing that he should continue to do it.”
But councillor Stevan Kozmevski said Mr Overland deserved natural justice.
He said he had “nothing to fear” and would continue to attend council meetings and events alongside Mr Overland.
“He’s doing a great job,” he said.
“Let the royal commission do it’s job, don’t be judge and jury.”
Cr Cox said Mr Overland had the council’s full support and that he was the only spokesman for the council.
“These people are paying party politics. Simon Overland has been operating extremely effectively as chief executive officer,” he said.
“He applies strict ethics on all councillors.”
Cr Cox said that the four councillors did not have the numbers to roll Mr Overland.