Olympic tourism boss sacked for 'slating' South East London

Updated
Olympic tourism boss sacked for 'slating' South East London
Olympic tourism boss sacked for 'slating' South East London

Mr McCollum was head of tourism for Greenwich. Photo: PA


A tourism boss branded the area he was employed to promote 'unsafe' has been sacked after a three-month investigation.

Neil McCollum was head of tourism for the London borough of Greenwich, and was responsible for the area's Olympic strategy, when he slated nearby Woolwich on Twitter, writing: 'Guest appearance in Woolwich today. Wonder if it has changed. 'Mental note: Make sure wallet is not visible!'

Residents in the South East London borough were up in arms over the jibe, and swiftly complained to the council.

And Greenwich Council bigwigs have now dismissed Mr McCollum, from Whistable, Kent, from his £60,000-a-year post.

While some residents have backed the decision, others posted messages on the internet saying what he wrote has truth to it. One said: 'He's an idiot for posting every thought that pops into his head on Twitter but what he said is correct.'

A Greenwich Council spokesman told the Daily Mail: The reason for this dismissal is that the individual brought the council into disrepute and breached the council's rules of conduct.

'The individual has the right to appeal against this decision.'

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