Attempts by the MP to destroy the Fixed Link Campaign

 

MP -Bob Seely’s further attempts to destroy the Fixed Link Campaign

IOW MP – Bob Seely has associations with both Wightlink and Red Funnel. The MP’s cousin – Patrick Seely is now a non executive Director of Red Funnel. Friend and election campaign manager David Pugh, has Wightlink as a major client in his lobbying company ‘Chine Consultancy’. Chine Consultancy Co-Director – Rachel Bushby informed Pro-Link in a witnessed conversation, that Wightlink is a major client of theirs and therefore “with Bob Seely as MP, the Isle of Wight will never get a fixed link.” It is evident that he has been desperately active to shut the Fixed Link Campaign down since he became MP. 

The evidence below will show:

  • The MP manipulated fellow director of ‘Able Connections’ – Tim Cooper, away from assisting with the fixed link goal… by tempting him with government and local council work instead. The MP then set about causing rifts between Tim Cooper and Carl Feeney… in order to dismantle the campaign in its entirety.
  • The MP attempted to discredit Carl Feeney using false information in front of IOW Chamber of Commerce  business leaders, and then further after Carl Feeney had left the event.
  • The MP wrote a letter to Carl Feeney, denying making advances to Tim Cooper, yet Tim Cooper explicitly confirms that the MP did.
  • The MP influenced Tim Cooper to destroy the campaign 
  • The MP influenced Tim Cooper to destroy the company of Able Connection LTD.

These and other attempts by the MP to protect the powerful and influential ferry companies from future competition in the form of a fixed link, have so far failed. The new IOW MP appears to have no qualms with manufacturing false information in order discredit those who oppose his plans.

Read on to view the extensive evidence to back up the above statements. The crucial conflict of information given by Tim Cooper and Bob Seely is coloured RED:

About Able Connections Ltd

Able Connections Ltd (AC) was set up to use as a legitimate medium with which to communicate with mainland authorities about the Fixed Link. It could also be used as a’client’ company should a study go ahead.  As Tim was naive to the campaign history, Carl suggested that Tim just operates through AC and not PRO-LINK in order to protect himself from the potential contentiousness that the Campaign group sometimes attracts. From that point, Tim Cooper did not make any comments on the Facebook group and concentrated with Carl on the progression of talks within authority contacts that Carl introduced him to. Carl also campaigned outside of AC, within the PRO-LINK envelope.

So what was the deal?

Tim was at the time unemployed. He needed contacts on the island to gain work and Carl had made those contacts through managing the campaign already for two years. Under company terms of reference, it was agreed that Tims payback for helping with the campaign, was to have Carl introduce contacts for potential personal work. This deal was under the proviso that Tim’s other work did not compromise the overall goal of achieving fixed link studies and finally a fixed link. A good working relationship developed over the following months, including meetings and introductions with infrastructure specialists in London, meetings and introductions with IOW and mainland Councillors, Chamber of Commerce, IOW Regeneration Team, the former MP Andrew Turner and advisors and so on. Within a few months, Tim Cooper had formed good contacts and the campaign had raised his profesional profile from completely unknown, to fairly well known. Carl Feeney had kept his side of the bargain and Tim had done some great work alongside Carl for the campaign. All was good.

During December 2017, Carl and Tim met with the MP – Bob Seely in Westminster. (DOCUMENTED HERE) It was around two months after that meeting that relations between Tim and Carl became strained. Irrational behaviour by Tim caused Carl to believe that Bob Seely had been in communication with Tim. This was to be proven correct. Tim declared that he had been offered work by Bob Seely. Carl warned Tim that the MP would use his influence to be divisive. (See WhatsApp thread below). Not long after, Tim stated that he was unable to communicate the conversations between himself and the MP due to “client confidentiality”. Because of this situation, the relationship became increasingly strained as Carl and other fellow director – Kevin Price, lost trust in Tim’s integrity and motives. It became clear that the MP had manipulated Tim, to the extent that Tim willingly put the company of ‘Able Connections’ in jeopardy.

The evidence unfolds below….
During December 2016, Tim Cooper was introduced to PRO-LINK ‘Chair’ – Carl Feeney at a Christmas party.

Tim became interested in the Fixed Link campaign. This is the first communication by Tim to Carl:

 

 

1/ FACEBOOK

Below is Facebook Evidence that Bob Seely, at an IOW Chamber of Commerce ‘Ask the MP’ meeting, denied he’d  offered Tim Cooper personal work. The MP called PRO-LINK chair – Carl Feeney a “liar”. However, Tim Cooper had already informed Carl that he was working for the MP and the MP was a “client” of his.
… CLICK HERE

 

This below, is the  post that Carl Feeney put up on the IOW Fixed Link Tunnel Campaign Facebook Group on the 11th May 2018, or CLICK HERE to view.

 

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2/ The Chamber of Commerce Transcript of Bob Seely’s claims.

Email sent to IOW Chamber of Commerce 11th May 2018.

 

Dear Sir / Madam / Peter Tomlinson

I was present at the ‘ask the MP lunch” at Haven Hall today. I asked Bob Seely two questions, which unfortunately caused him to respond in an unsavoury manner. On my leaving at around 2pm, I have been informed that the MP made several accusations to the audience about me, that I was not able to defend myself against. 
The question period was recorded. Could you please supply a copy of the recording to me please, or an accurate word for word transcript of the conversation. I will be happy to supply a memory stick or anything else you need in order to transfer that information to me. 

Kind regards. 

Carl J Feeney  F.R.S.A. 

PRO-LINK.   (Chair) 
Campaigning for the IOW Fixed Link solution.   
Able Connections Ltd (Director) 
Tel +44 (0) 7880540778

 

 

Below is the transcript supplied by the IOW Chamber of Commerce at the request of Carl Feeney:

 

SECTION OF MEETING INVOLVING CARL FEENEY – 11th MAY 2018
Tom Stroud = TS ( chair )
Carl Feeney = CF  (as last minute replacement guest, instead of ill employee Simon Gentle)
Chamber member Jon Benton = JB
Bob Seely = BS 

CF: According to ‘Localis’, which is a cross party independent think tank endorsed by central government, with the assistance from MPs Greg Clarke and Christopher Grayling , the Isle of Wight is the weakest economy in England. We are 109th weakest from the 108 other local authorities, yet we are only 4 miles away from the very prosperous South East England. The Island is at the bottom of the league of business start ups and highest in bankruptcies, suicide and mental health issues. Wages are significantly lower creating a horrendous circular economy. Manufacturing is plummeting, tourism down, the best of island talent is migrating away.

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3/ ‘WhatsApp’ communications

This below, is the February 2018 conversation with Carl expressing his concerns about Tims potential involvement with the MP -Bob Seely.  (Carl  – green background…. Tim – white background)

 

4/ Email exchanges with Bob Seely

 

On the 17th April, (One month before the Chamber of Commerce event) Carl Feeney requested Bob Seely to state whether he has offered work to Tim Cooper? Also asking whether the MP is now a ‘client’ of Tims?

The MP did not reply. When more than 14 days had elapsed, Carl once again asked for a response on the 4th of May.

The emails are below:

 

 

 

 

The MP replied to the second request on the same day, by letter (below). It did not answer the questions :

 

 

 

Carl Feeney sent a further email correspondence (below) to the MP on receipt of the above letter:

 

 

 

The MPs’ second response below, was received on the 16th May 2018. It is unequivocally precise.

 

Bob Seely states:

 

“Offering Tim Cooper any work would be against Parliamentary ‘codes of conduct”.

 

and:

“I have never accepted or requested paid or unpaid work from Tim Cooper”.

 

 

However in correspondence below, Tim Cooper states:

 

“Bob Seely has not paid me to carry out any work for him. I met him last month at Portcullis House to discuss the strategic planning for the Isle of Wight and there was a very brief exchange of emails after. It was explicit from the start that our conversation would not touch on the fixed link. He and the IW Council are working together to develop a plan for the Island and I have had discussions with both parties about their proposed plans. I have done this pro bono in my capacity as a resident of the Isle of Wight.”

and:

 

“Requesting copies of private emails without due cause is unreasonable, as is trying to dictate to each other who we can and can’t do business with. I have a duty of confidentiality to all my clients, and my professional career rests in part on being able to manage the potential conflicts which from time to time arise.”

 

and:

 

“As to why I am engaging with him – no matter what anybody thinks of him, he is our MP and is likely to be so until he chooses to step down – in other words, for decades. At the moment I have his trust and he is listening to me.”

 

These statements do not align with each other. Clearly, someone is lying. 

 

 

5/ Email communications by Tim Cooper claiming the MP did request work from him.

Below are portions of the email correspondence between Tim Cooper and Carl Feeney.

 

The working relationship between Tim Cooper and other company directors Carl Feeney and Kevin Price, became strained and more unworkable as the MP became more involved with Tim.

Subsequently,  Able Connections was put in great jeopardy by Company Secretary – Tim Cooper.

 

1/ From Carl Feeney to Tim Cooper
7th March 2018 (Extract from lengthy email)

—–Original Message—–
From: Carl Feeney <feeneycarl>
To: Tim Cooper Able-Connections. <timothypcooper>
Sent: Wed, 7 Mar 2018 0:13
Subject: Contentions / resolutions.

Contention 2/

I believe your pursuance of private work from Bob Seely, will give opportunities to him to discredit and obstruct the campaign… perhaps even using a divisive tactic to cause problems between you and AC. Perhaps this is already occurring?

The last email we had from Bob Seely, he requested we should contact him at the end of January. A few weeks ago I mentioned this to you and you explained you’d already arranged a personal meeting between the two of you to discuss “other island infrastructure”. Does this mean that the Link is off agenda?… or are you both having discussions without me being copied in? Considering the lengths I went to in order to secure Bob originally offering a meeting with us, I’d find this disrespectful.

Resolution: Full transparency of the communications between yourself and Bob Seely. Copied in communications are necessary. Retrospectively up to date also.

*

 

2/ From Carl Feeney to Tim Cooper
13th March 2018 at 23.06 (Extract from lengthy email)

Of those concerns, the main one is the developing relationship between yourself and Bob Seely. It now appears he has taken up your offer extended in our meeting and is now a “client” of yours, as described in your email. Client confidentiality is of course something that must be adhered to in a professional environment. This now raises issues of ‘conflict of interest’. Could you please explain how it is possible for you to be a director of a company with the sole aim of implementing an IOW Fixed Link, while also being employed by an MP who has already fabricated discrediting misinformation about our Westminster meeting … knowing his main aim is to dismantle the Fixed Link campaign?

I took some notes during our Westminster meeting with him. He is very much against a Fixed Link as you know. His comments “I’m moderately hostile” and “I’m trying to make your idea redundant”, gives the impression that he will use you to further his ambitions to resist the link. I believe that once you are immersed within his personal programme of “other Infrastructure” goals, it will be difficult for you to preserve any employment… while at the same time pushing for the Link that Bob resists tooth and nail. I believe his strategy is to be in a position to control you. Personally, I think your involvement with Bob, will end badly for you, or for the Link. I believe you will be made to make that choice.

I expect you’ll believe I’m wrong on all of this Tim, but rather than rejecting these concerns again, could you please give your reasonings this time? Thank you.

Bob asked us by email, to contact him at the end of January regarding the Fixed link. We are now midway through March. You confirmed that you contacted Bob during January. I have not been copied into any correspondence. Could you please send me the correspondence emails between you and Bob (Able Connections ones) that concern the Fixed Link? I have absolutely no idea what’s going on. Obviously, you will have separated the Fixed Link Able Connections emails away from your ‘personal business’ emails with Bob. I just need the former.

All the best.

Carl

*

 

3/ Tim Cooper’s reply to Carl Feeney. (Extract from lengthy email)
On 13 Mar 2018, at 11:30, Timothy Cooper <timothypcooper> wrote:

“Requesting copies of private emails without due cause is unreasonable, as is trying to dictate to each other who we can and can’t do business with. I have a duty of confidentiality to all my clients, and my professional career rests in part on being able to manage the potential conflicts which from time to time arise.”

*

4/ Tim Cooper’s reply to Carl Feeney. (Extract from lengthy email)
14th March 2018 at 07.44

“2. Bob Seely has not paid me to carry out any work for him. I met him last month at Portcullis House to discuss the strategic planning for the Isle of Wight and there was a very brief exchange of emails after. It was explicit from the start that our conversation would not touch on the fixed link. He and the IW Council are working together to develop a plan for the Island and I have had discussions with both parties about their proposed plans. I have done this pro bono in my capacity as a resident of the Isle of Wight. During the course of those discussions I have been made party to confidential information, none of which relates to the fixed link. It would be a breach of trust for me to share that with you. I have been back through the correspondence (which is very short – Bob’s focus is on the Russian attack).

I have made it very clear to you since our very first engagement that I do not support your proposals for a bridge between Island Harbour and Stag Lane. I have advised the council and Bob against such a scheme, for the reasons I have shared with you. I have no idea whether or not they have listened. Regardless, this is not in breach of any agreement between us. Every time when you have tried to pressure me into supporting the proposal, I have resisted and I will continue to do so. There are many alternatives which need to be considered before we consider your proposed alignment. As to why I am engaging with him – no matter what anybody thinks of him, he is our MP and is likely to be so until he chooses to step down – in other words, for decades. At the moment I have his trust and he is listening to me.”

6/ Subsequently, Tim Cooper attempted to place Able Connections in jeopardy.

It was after the above email communications describing Tim Coopers working relationship with the MP, that Tim’s irrational behaviour began… and Able Connections Ltd was put in jeopardy.

 

1/ Email to Companies House from Carl Feeney

 

–—-Original Message—–
From: Carl Feeney <feeneycarl>
To: enquiries <enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk>
CC: Tim Cooper Able-Connections. <timothypcooper>; kev_price75 <kev_price75>
Sent: Wed, 18 Apr 2018 8:49
Subject: Fwd: Company confirmation etc.

Dear Sir / Madam

I have received through my door, this communication below from Companies House.

I would like to confirm that the company is indeed required. At present, the company secretary Tim Cooper whose dwelling is the registered company address appears not willing to communicate with his two fellow directors – Kevin Price and myself Carl Feeney. We both have no idea whether he has performed the required paperwork or not.

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