A ROW over an alleged conflict of interest by one of Greenwich's top councillors has temporarily halted the transfer of the borough's libraries and leisure services to a trust.

Last week, the Unite union threatened legal action because of cabinet member Councillor John Fahy's organisation Meridian Link, which he runs with Mark Sesnan, managing director of Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) - the group given control of the libraries.

During a cabinet meeting this month, Cllr Fahy declared an interest, abstaining from the library vote.

But he did not do the same at a November meeting when GLL was given control of leisure facilities and told to draw up library plans.

Now Greenwich Council has announced it will reconsider decisions on leisure and library services at a future cabinet meeting "to avoid any perception of a conflict of interest in the council's decision making process."

Unite branch secretary Onay Kasab described the surprise move as a "temporary victory".

He said: "We're still looking at challenging this and pushing ahead with our industrial action ballot until the council finally say they're not going to go ahead.

"We don't trust them to make the right decision."

Unite is concerned the library transfer may affect workers' pay, pricing and the facilities themselves but the council says it could mean service improvements.

Cllr Fahy told News Shopper Meridian Link was a charity developing education and sports opportunities in Ghana which he had been involved with for 22 years.

He said last week: "I took legal advice and acted accordingly. I am satisfied I have acted appropriately in all respects in relation to this matter."

A Greenwich Council spokesman said: "The council apologises for any anxiety caused by the need to reconsider the decisions and would wish to assure service users that there will be no impact on service delivery."