Overview of the Allegations
The claim refers to a serious scandal involving Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council (in Merseyside, England) and the alleged financial abuse of learning disabled adults in supported housing. Over approximately nine years (roughly 2004–2013), council employees are accused of systematically withdrawing or “raiding” funds from the personal bank accounts of vulnerable tenants—many of whom had learning disabilities and relied on the council for care and housing management. The total amount cited in whistleblower reports and investigations is exactly £736,756.97. This was not a one-off raid but a pattern of exploitation, where staff allegedly used tenants’ debit cards, PINs, and ATM access to siphon money for personal gain, often under the guise of “managing” their finances.The case highlights broader issues of safeguarding failures, whistleblower retaliation, and lack of accountability in local government social services. It came to light primarily through the efforts of social worker Martin Morton, who faced severe professional backlash for raising concerns. While the council acknowledged the abuse and commissioned investigations, critics argue the response was inadequate, with no criminal prosecutions and implicated staff receiving payouts and new jobs.Key Details of the Abuse
- Victims: Around 20–30 learning disabled adults living in council-managed supported housing (e.g., hostels or group homes). These individuals often had limited capacity to manage finances independently, making them easy targets. Funds stolen included personal savings, benefits, and small allowances—sometimes leaving tenants unable to afford basics like food or transport.
- Methods: Staff allegedly:
- Obtained tenants’ bank details and PINs under false pretenses (e.g., “helping with shopping”).
- Withdrew cash via ATMs or direct transfers.
- Used the money for personal expenses, such as holidays, gambling, or luxury goods.
- Scale and Duration: The £736,756.97 figure covers multiple perpetrators over nine years. Individual thefts ranged from hundreds to thousands of pounds per victim, totaling a “sustained abuse” that went undetected due to poor oversight.
- Discovery: Morton noticed irregularities in 2009–2010 while working in adult social care. He reported suspicions internally, but claims he was ignored or dismissed as a “troublemaker.”
Investigations and Council Response
- Internal and External Probes:
- 2011–2012: Morton escalated to the Audit Commission (predecessor to the National Audit Office’s local oversight role), which launched a full investigation and sided with him, confirming financial irregularities.
- 2012–2014: Wirral Council commissioned Anna Klonowski Associates for an independent review (“Refresh and Renew” report). It verified the abuse, estimating the £736k loss, and criticized systemic failures in financial oversight and staff training. However, the report was accused of being a “whitewash” for not naming perpetrators or recommending sackings.
- Council Actions:
- Acknowledged the issue publicly in 2012, promising improved safeguarding.
- Recovered some funds (exact amount unclear, but partial reimbursements to victims).
- No criminal charges were filed; Merseyside Police deemed it “too complicated” for prosecution.
- Outcomes for Victims: Some received compensation, but many suffered lasting harm, including loss of trust in services and financial hardship. The council’s adult safeguarding board was later reformed (re-established in 2021 under the Merseyside Safeguarding Adults Board).
Whistleblower Retaliation and Accountability Gaps
Morton’s story is central to the scandal’s notoriety:
- He was suspended, subjected to disciplinary proceedings, and forced out of his job in 2012.
- Despite winning support from the Audit Commission, he faced a “campaign of harassment,” including vexatious complaints.
- Morton later won an employment tribunal for unfair dismissal and whistleblower victimization, receiving compensation.
Implicated staff (e.g., senior figures like Maura Noone, former Head of Targeted Support Services, and Mike Fowler) allegedly received compromise agreements (settlements with gagging clauses) totaling around £110,000 each in public funds. Noone later became Director of Adult Social Services at Reading Borough Council (and then Somerset), while Fowler took a finance role at the Brook Charity—moves criticized for bypassing the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.Broader criticisms:
- The Local Government Association (councils’ “trade body”) was accused of covering up the scandal.
- Auditors like Grant Thornton faced complaints over LOBO loans (controversial bank deals adding to Wirral’s debt burden, indirectly linked to tax hikes that hurt vulnerable residents).
- Freedom of Information (FOI) requests about the case were delayed or stonewalled, leading to a First-Tier Tribunal ruling against the council in 2013.
Broader Context and LegacyThis incident fits into Wirral Council’s troubled history of governance issues, including a 2014 government intervention for “serious failings” in decision-making and finances. The £736k theft exacerbated distrust in social services, especially for disabled people. Nationally, it underscored gaps in financial abuse protections under the Care Act 2014, which now mandates better bank account oversight for vulnerable adults.As of 2025, no new prosecutions have emerged, but the case is occasionally referenced in discussions of local authority abuse (e.g., in blogs like Wirral In It Together). Campaigners, including Morton (now retired), continue advocating via groups like the Freedom Alliance Party.
| Aspect | Details | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Total Stolen | £736,756.97 over 9 years | Klonowski Report (2014); FOI disclosures |
| Key Whistleblower | Martin Morton (sacked 2012, won tribunal) | Audit Commission findings; tribunal records |
| Implicated Staff | ~5–7, including Maura Noone & Mike Fowler (received settlements) | WhatDoTheyKnow FOI; Navy Net thread |
| Investigations | Audit Commission (2011: confirmed); Klonowski (2014: systemic failures) | Council reports; Private Eye mentions |
| Victim Impact | Financial loss, emotional trauma; partial reimbursements | Safeguarding reviews |
| Council Reforms | Improved DBS checks, financial training; 2021 board restructure | Merseyside Safeguarding Adults Board |
If the Duchy is not subject to FOIA, it cannot lawfully rely on FOIA exemptions or Clearing House mechanisms to restrict access.
If it is acting under FOIA in substance, then it should be designated a public authority under Section 5 of the Act and be fully accountable to the public.
Wirral In It Together 