Cockenzie Power Station 

Investigation here :

Dust Deception Silence Cockenzie Power Station

EAST LOTHIAN COUNCIL: FINANCIAL GOVERNANCE & RISK INVESTIGATION

Published by JAOC Investigations | 7 August 2026

Updates daily. 

Full dossier, recommendations & risk summary available to download.

Since the beginning of this investigation, we have uploaded a substantial amount of verified information relating to governance, transparency, and statutory compliance within East Lothian Council. This work has expanded significantly, and we have now issued formal correspondence to the Chief Executive confirming breaches of legislation. Copies of these communications will be made available separately.

There is also an overview of our findings which, due to its sensitivity and scale, can only be shared in person at this stage. It has not yet been published, but it is important for the public to understand that the material we are preparing is extensive, evidence‑based, and of considerable seriousness.

In recent weeks, this investigation has drawn attention far beyond East Lothian. Members of Parliament, national standards and ethics bodies, and relevant authorities have all made contact. Files are being prepared for official review. What began as a local matter has now developed into an issue of national significance.

National media outlets have approached us and offered payment for exclusive access to the investigation. While we appreciate this interest, our priority is the people of East Lothian. We believe the community deserves to hear the truth first — openly, freely, and without commercial influence.

This investigation is funded entirely by myself. I do this because ordinary people work hard, pay their taxes, and deserve honesty, accountability, and respect from those entrusted with public office. Corruption, misconduct, or financial mismanagement cannot be ignored, and we will not look the other way.

We are giving local media and the local community the first opportunity to engage with this work. This is for East Lothian — for transparency, for fairness, and for the public good.

What We Found :

Our investigation reveals East Lothian Council operates with severe gaps in transparency, oversight and accountability: Over £55 million of public funds placed at risk – without public consultation or independent audit

One senior councillor controls policy, evidence, procurement and revenue‑raising across parking, the 5% Visitor Levy, land sales and business loans

Consultants appointed repeatedly without open tender, then used to justify the very policies they were hired to assess

Reserves falling fast – forecast to be completely exhausted within two years

Senior pay rises of up to 41% while services are cut, taxes increased and new charges introduced

A network of hidden subsidiary companies shifting spending and decision‑making out of public view

Key Concerns

Edinburgh Innovation Hub: £10 million of council money invested – no independent audit exists

East Lothian Investments: £2 million of public money loaned to businesses – no public list of recipients or default rates

Mid‑Market Homes: £45 million of liabilities – ultimately underwritten by residents

Same pattern: Decisions made behind closed doors; costs and risks passed to local people

What We Are Calling For

Immediate freeze on all new spending, charges, loans and land sales

Full independent audit of all high‑risk projects and companies

End to one‑person control – split civic and executive roles

Full public consultation before any major financial decision

EAST LOTHIAN COUNCIL — REGISTER OF INTERESTS: URGENT GOVERNANCE CONCERN

Date: 12 August 2026

An inspection of East Lothian Council’s published records indicates that the Register of Interests currently fails to provide full transparency, as:

 *  Only two councillor entries appear to be publicly displayed.

 *  Historical records covering prior terms or past changes are not currently visible on the public-facing platform.

 WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES

Under the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 (Section 7) and the Councillors' Code of Conduct, Scottish local authorities have clear statutory duties:

 * Comprehensive Publication: The council must set up, maintain, and make available for public inspection a register containing the registrable interests of all councillors.

 * Defined Retention Scope: Under the Code of Conduct, registers are structured to cover relevant interests (such as election expenses and specific declarations) commencing from 12 months prior to and including the current term of office.

 *  Public Inspection Access: The statutory framework dictates that the register must be made available for public inspection. While regulations ensure accessibility, online omissions restrict transparent public scrutiny.

 ACTION TAKEN 13th August 2026

At 09:19 today and a further call at 10.28 am to leave a message for the person responsible Hailey Barnett   — the officer legally responsible for overseeing council governance and compliance — to address the incomplete state of the online register.

As no response was forthcoming we have written to the Chief Executive  confirming the serious breaches and demanding immediate action with information.

Formal clarification and immediate remediation have been requested regarding:

 *  Ensuring the full register for all elected members is accessible.

 * Clarifying the availability of historical records and the procedures for public inspection of past declarations.

Email 13th August 12.11pm

Dear Chief Executive,

I am writing to formally raise a matter of statutory compliance concerning the Register of Interests for elected members of East Lothian Council.

Under the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 and the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, every councillor is required to maintain an up‑to‑date Register of Interests, and the Council is required to publish this information openly and make it accessible to the public.

I am particularly concerned that the Registers of Interests for Councillor Norman Hampshire (Leader of the Council) and Councillor John McMillan (Cabinet Spokesperson for Environment, Economic Development and Tourism) are not readily accessible as required. Under the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 and the Councillors’ Code of Conduct (2021), East Lothian Council is legally obliged to:

• maintain an up‑to‑date Register of Interests for every councillor; • publish these registers openly for public inspection throughout the councillor’s term of office; • retain each register for a minimum of five years after the councillor ceases to hold office; • ensure that registers are complete, accurate, and updated within one month of any change.

Please note for your information you currently only show 2 councillors interests and only for one year and none of the remaining 20 for any year which is completely unacceptable.

Failure to publish, maintain, or retain these statutory records constitutes a breach of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct and a governance failure under the Council’s legal obligations.

I have attempted to access the Register of Interests for a councillor and have been unable to obtain it. I have contacted the Council directly and am currently awaiting a response. However, given the legal obligations surrounding transparency and public access, I believe it is appropriate to bring this matter to your attention at this stage.

The absence, delay, or unavailability of a Register of Interests represents a potential breach of statutory duty and raises concerns regarding governance, transparency, and public confidence. As Chief Executive, you hold ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the Council complies with all legal requirements, including the publication and maintenance of Registers of Interests.

I would be grateful if you could:

1. Confirm whether the Register of Interests for the councillor in question is complete, up‑to‑date, and held in accordance with statutory requirements and publish immediately on your  website.

2. Confirm that it is a true and transparent register and not missing or altered for public inspection, as required by law. 

3. Confirm whether this matter has been escalated to the Monitoring Officer, given its relevance to the Councillors’ Code of Conduct and corporate governance.

I am documenting all correspondence as part of an ongoing public‑interest review into governance and transparency within East Lothian Council. My intention is simply to ensure compliance with statutory obligations and to support the principles of openness and accountability that underpin local government.

Please provide an acknowledgement within 24 hours and or the reply in 48 hours due to the urgency of this situation and breach of regulations. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Kind regards, 

Andrew Sibley

2nd email 13th August 12.15pm

Dear Chief Executive,

I am writing to request access to East Lothian Council’s Records Management Plan (RMP), as approved by the Keeper of the Records of Scotland under the Public Records (Scotland) Act 2011.

The RMP sets out the Council’s statutory obligations for the creation, maintenance, retention, and integrity of governance records. This includes councillor Registers of Interests, which are required to be:

• maintained and updated within one month of any change,

• published and available throughout the councillor’s term of office, and

• retained for a minimum of five years after the councillor ceases to hold office.

As the RMP is a public governance document and not personal data, it should be available for inspection upon request. I would be grateful if you could provide:

1. The current approved version of East Lothian Council’s Records Management Plan

2. Any associated retention schedules relating specifically to councillor Registers of Interests

3. Any procedural documents describing how audit trails, version control, and update logs are maintained for these statutory records

I appreciate your assistance and look forward to receiving the RMP urgently.

Kind regards, 

Andrew Sibley

WHY THIS MATTERS

Transparency provisions ensure that financial interests, property, land holdings, and election donations remain open to public verification. A complete and accessible register is essential to maintain public confidence in local governance and planning decisions.

 JAOC INVESTIGATION

JAOC Investigations is reviewing local governance decisions over the past decade. Publicly accessible and complete historical registers are vital to cross-reference declarations against major council decisions.

BOTTOM LINE

The Register of Interests is a matter of statutory public record. Ensuring its complete availability across all elected members is a core requirement of the Scottish ethical standards framework. 

 EAST LOTHIAN COUNCIL — ONGOING INVESTIGATION FILE

JAOC Investigations | Date: 12 August 2026 | Status: Active Inquiry — Leads, Allegations & Questions

INVESTIGATION STATUS

 1. PLANNING, LEGAL & DECISION-MAKING CONCERNS

A. NO INDEPENDENT LEGAL REVIEW

Investigation - Planning decisions , land disposals 

B. LABOUR BLOCK VOTING & COERCION

Investigation into Block voting : 

Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, Ethical Standards Act 2000, and Council Constitution?

Duty to report: Councillors aware of coercion have statutory duty to report it — silence may be breach of Code of Conduct

Why are some planning decisions voted on by the cabinet requiring 8 votes when other decisions are made by planning 22 councillors? 

 DEVELOPMENT, LAND & CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Investigation 

A. WEST BARNS MAINS DATA CENTRE 

- Developer: Ken Ross / Thistle Sands Data Ltd

- Timeline of concern:

• 2016–2017: Ken Ross gifts ~15 acres to Dunbar Community Trust — accepted by Norman Hampshire (Chair)
• 2021–2022: Ken Ross gifts 34 acres MORE — accepted by Norman Hampshire (still Chair)
• 2017: Norman Hampshire becomes Council Leader
• 2025: Ken Ross submits massive data centre planning application → decision rests with Hampshire's Council

B. COCKENZIE DATA CENTRE — SDCL JOINT VENTURE

- Joint Venture Partner: Sustainable Development Capital LLP (SDCL) — London-based investment firm, established 2007

C. MUSSELBURGH FLOOD PROTECTION SCHEME

• Millions spent — Scottish Government funding deployed — major cost and time overruns
• Allegation: Consultants and agents involved have provided misleading or incomplete information
• Formal inquiry / case file exists — under detailed review

to view data : Scottish Government - DPEA - Case Details

 NEW & EMERGING LEADS

Lead Source Status 

• North Berwick Councillors & Community Council New Whistleblower  UNDER EXAMINATION
• Relationship between Councillors and Community Council Alleged influence / control  BEING CHECKED
• Parking meters joint procurement with City of Edinburgh Shared purchasing arrangement  TO BE VERIFIED
• Covid-era remote meeting decisions Reduced scrutiny window  BEING LISTED
• Subsidiary companies & lending arm Public money at risk — reduced transparency  STRUCTURE BEING MAPPED 

The pattern is clear: costs rise, services fall, consultation is bypassed, decisions are questioned, and those who raise concerns are ignored.

The questions in this file are NOT rhetorical. They require answers. And the public has a right to them.

Disclaimer

 * Commitment to Transparency: In the interest of openness, Freedom of Information requests are placed on the public record; therefore, the focus of this investigation is being made publicly available.

 * Scope of Review: This publication carries no implication of illegal activity. However, the matters outlined warrant formal examination.

 * Next Steps: If any improper conduct is identified, the findings will be referred directly to the appropriate authorities for review.

WHISTLEBLOWERS: EAST LOTHIAN COUNCIL

We have already received information from 12 whistleblowers across East Lothian Council — and we know many more have concerns they are afraid to share.

If you have seen decisions that do not make sense, money spent without explanation, or rules ignored — you are not imagining it.

What we need to hear

- How decisions are made on parking, levies and charges

- Links between councillors, consultants and developers

- The truth behind project cost rises and hidden contracts

- Pressure to ignore complaints or silence concerns

- Financial risks, loans or investments not explained publicly

- Any attempt to hide or alter information

Your protection

You are fully protected under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998:

- You cannot be disciplined, dismissed or treated unfairly for speaking up in the public interest

- You do not need perfect evidence — just what you know or have witnessed

- We will never share your name or details without your clear permission

Contact us safely

You can reach us confidentially at: Secure Tip‑Off Submission

We verify every account we receive. We stand with you, and we will ensure the truth is heard.

Your courage is how change begins.