MDC chief quits amid police probe
12 February 2001
MDC chief quits amid police probe
By FWi staff
THE chief executive of the Milk Development Council has spoken about his decision to resign following a police probe into the organisations finances.
Peter Merson, who tendered his resignation to the council last week, is expected to leave his job when his tenure expires at the end of July.
His announcement comes as police continue to investigate unspecified financial irregularities unearthed last September by accounting officers.
The council is a statutory body funded to the tune of 8 million a year by dairy producers, who pay a levy on milk sold from their farms in Great Britain.
The levy is then used to improve the competitiveness and profitability of dairy farmers by investing in research projects to improve their returns and cut costs.
As the councils chief executive and accounting officer, Mr Merson is responsible for preventing fraud and safeguarding the organisations assets.
“I feel responsible as accounting officer for the actions of the people who have worked under me and decided I had no choice but to go,” he said.
“Obviously its not the way I would have liked to have ended my time but the councils work is more important than any of the people who work here.”
Brian Peacock, Milk Development Council chairman, said Mr Merson was “in no way implicated” in any financial irregularities being investigated.
“Peter believes that it is time for another to take over the reigns as chief executive. This action allows the MDC to make a fresh start,” said Mr Peacock.
Gloucestershire police said they expected to make a statement later this week regarding their next move in the six-month old inquiry.