Lauren Myers’ Testimony: Relationships and Prior Connections
Ms Lauren Myers, under her former affirmation, returned to the stand for further examination by Ms McDonald. The focus initially centered on her prior connections with key figures at the council. Ms Myers revealed she had met John Ajaka on one or possibly two occasions before his appointment as CEO in December 2022, during a social or non-council-related visit to Mayor Mannoun’s office at Moore Street. This meeting occurred in 2022 but before the CEO recruitment process began. She also noted a brief encounter with Shayne Mallard in 2015 during a social visit to the mayor’s office, followed by a more formal meeting when he visited Liverpool in his capacity as a Member of Parliament.
Regarding Mayor Mannoun, Ms Myers disclosed a long-standing acquaintance dating back to their teenage years in the 1990s, connected through a shared circle of friends in Liverpool, though they did not attend the same school. This personal history provided context to her role as his executive assistant, a position she assumed in 2015. Her testimony highlighted the depth of personal ties among council figures, raising questions about how these relationships might influence professional interactions.
Events of April 2024: Meeting with Sandie Morthen
The inquiry then shifted to specific events on 22 April 2024, with Ms McDonald presenting text messages between Ms Myers and Mr Ajaka regarding a scheduled meeting with Sandie Morthen, a union organiser from the United Services Union. Ms Myers confirmed she arranged the meeting at Mr Ajaka’s request the week prior, though she was unaware of the specific purpose beyond it being a discussion between the CEO and the union representative. She noted that such meetings were likely regular, though she was not in the CEO’s office for an extended period, serving only in an acting capacity.
Post-meeting, Mr Ajaka briefly discussed the content with Ms Myers, mentioning it involved tensions between himself and Mayor Mannoun. He expressed surprise that Ms Morthen arrived with prior knowledge of certain issues, later clarified as relating to a potential cut of 150 jobs. Ms Myers recalled this specific detail being discussed the following day, not immediately after the meeting. Additionally, Mr Ajaka mentioned an anonymous email from an entity called “USU Advocate,” which Ms Morthen brought to the meeting. While Ms Myers couldn’t recall if Mr Ajaka had a copy, subsequent document review showed emails from USU Advocate dated 22 and 25 April, with the latter first mentioning the 150 job cuts, suggesting the reference to this email might have been discussed later in the week.
Communications with Mayor Mannoun and Tensions with Ajaka
Further testimony explored text exchanges between Ms Myers and Mayor Mannoun on 22 April 2024, where she checked on Mr Ajaka’s well-being and relayed the mayor’s desire for peace and compromise, contingent on an apology. The mayor also accused Mr Ajaka of activating the unions, to which Ms Myers responded that, to her knowledge, the unions were already informed of the situation. These messages revealed underlying friction, with Ms Myers at times using sarcasm (indicated by an emoji) when commenting on the mayor’s tone, though she affirmed her belief that some of his points were valid. Her role as an intermediary between the two men was evident, navigating a delicate balance during a period of heightened conflict.
Ms Myers’ evidence also revisited an earlier email from the mayor to Mr Ajaka on 12 April 2024, concerning budget issues and a reported $5 million deficit, which the mayor saw as an opportunity to provide suggestions. Her commentary on the “perfect” tone and pitch of some communications contrasted with other instances where she found the mayor’s approach less agreeable, illustrating the complexity of her position amidst competing loyalties and professional duties. A brief adjournment was called at 10:38 AM to address additional text messages provided by Ms Richardson SC, resuming at 11:02 AM to continue exploring these exchanges.
Ms Myers’ emotional testimony painted a picture of a council environment marked by personal histories and professional tensions, particularly between Mayor Mannoun and CEO Ajaka in April 2024. The involvement of union representatives like Sandie Morthen and the circulation of anonymous communications from “USU Advocate” underscored the broader unrest among staff and stakeholders, especially concerning potential job cuts. Her role as a conduit for information and mediator in disputes highlighted the challenges of maintaining neutrality in a politically charged atmosphere.
The hearing adjourned with further examination expected in upcoming sessions, as the inquiry seeks to unravel the intricate web of relationships, communications, and operational challenges within Liverpool City Council. Ms Myers’ insights offered a unique perspective on how personal connections and workplace dynamics intersect, potentially influencing governance and decision-making processes during critical periods of conflict.
The hearings continue tomorrow with ex Liverpool City CEO Mr John Ajaka giving futhter evidence.
