Colette Goulding dodges the sack

Dear readers — welcome to a chocker-block Monday edition from your industrious dockland muck-rakers. 

In case you missed it: Over the weekend, Jack Walton returned to our pages for the final instalment of the Eldonian Village saga. For four years, he’s been reporting on the goings on in the village — from assets being mysteriously transferred offshore, to death threats and arson attacks. Now, we can unveil the whistle blower that started it all, fighting tirelessly for justice for the Eldonians: priest Rhys Jones.  

In the face of threats, a trainee priest saved his community

How Rhys Jones unravelled the Eldonian Village mystery

The PostJack Walton

On with today’s edition: last week, during the adult social care committee meeting, a woman furtively shuffled in at the back. She held her head in her hands and said nothing. Councillors blinked in disbelief. It couldn't be... could it?

It was. Almost six months since her last appearance in the council chamber, West Derby Muirhead councillor Colette Goulding decided to turn up — to a committee she doesn't sit on. Goulding has been suspended by Labour after The Post's investigations into her role at Liverpool charity Big Help Project. She made no contributions to the discussion and left soon afterwards. That meeting netted her a cool £14,000 – the regular annual councillor allowance, which is paid conditional on attending a meeting at least once every six months.

Councillors were furious. “It’s an absolute farce,” one told The Post. Is the end drawing near for Liverpool's least active councillor — or will she be able to keep claiming the cash until the next election?