Former chief of Peterborough's mayoral authority refuses to answer PT questions over '˜substantial severance payment'

Martin Whiteley left as chief executive of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority back in August, with CA cabinet members claiming they only found out about his departure through the media.

Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough James Palmer - who leads the CA - insisted that Mr Whiteley resigned from the role, but senior local government figures in the county have questioned whether the former chief was forced to quit by the mayor.

Mr Palmer has previously revealed that Mr Whiteley received a “substantial severance payment”, but the exact amount has never been disclosed.

Mr Whiteley has made no public announcement since his departure, and he declined to answer questions when the PT got through to him on the phone earlier this week.

The PT asked whether Mr Whiteley would wish to say anything about his departure from the CA, to which he replied: “No, it’s fine. Thank you for calling but I don’t want to say anything.”

The PT then asked whether he would wish to comment on his pay-off, to which he replied: “No, of course not,” before saying goodbye and ending the conversation.

The CA is a public body which oversees major transport and housing projects in the area and is delivering the new University of Peterborough.

Mr Whiteley left as chief executive in the same week that he received a letter from senior local government, police and health figures questioning the transparency and governance of the CA and the way it spends money.

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