Deposed transport chief lands dual role

THE deposed chairman of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport has returned to public transport with two jobs.

Roger Jones, who lost his seat on Salford Council in May after 25 years when he was beaten by a Community Action Party candidate campaigning against the congestion charge which would bring trams to Oldham town centre, is one of five new members of the Government’s commission for integrated transport.

Mr Jones has also been appointed the director of the North West Rail Campaign where he will work three days a week.

Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Police continues to investigate the role of property giant Peel Holdings in his election defeat. Peel has admitted employing a market research company to gather information about public opinion in his Irlam ward. But Jones has claimed that the pollsters were, in fact, targeting him — which could be illegal under the Representation of the People Act.

Mr Jones said: “I would like to be informed whether Greater Manchester Police have completed their investigation and, if so, if they have referred this matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions. GMPTA needs to be told formally.”

A police spokesman said that officers had liaised with the special case unit of the Crown Prosecution Service and were awaiting its advice.