Ministerial review of Community Trust resignation sought

THE Community Trust of Southland will ask for a ministerial review of the circumstances surrounding the controversial resignation of former chief executive John Prendergast three months ago.

Speaking at the trust’s annual meeting in Arrowtown last night, chairwoman Margot Hishon said it was ‘‘untrue’’ for Mr Prendergast to say he did not know the reasons for his resignation.

Despite being bound by a confidentiality agreement, Mr Prendergast told Stuff website this week he resigned because the trust’s board decided unanimously to ‘‘exit’’ him. He claimed Mrs Hishon never told him why the board wanted him out.

Last night, Mrs Hishon said the board could not comment on the resignation, but was concerned the media was reporting ‘‘inaccurate information and false allegations’’ about the matter.

‘‘In order to assure the public the board has acted appropriately around the issue, it has resolved to ask the [associate finance minis ter] to review the circumstances around the resignation and report publicly on that review . . . ’’

Stuff reported Penny Simmonds, who formerly held a senior role with Hockey Southland, had clashed with Mr Prendergast over a $1 million trust grant to Hockey Southland but she and Mrs Hishon deny the resignation had anything to do with the hockey grant.