Bromley Council’s deputy leader has been accused of failing to register his senior role within an education company which operated in schools throughout the borough.

It is claimed that Peter Fortune, who is also running as Bromley and Bexley’s Conservative candidate for the Greater London Assembly, was chief executive of Fitness In, which delivered “health and wellbeing lessons” across London, including Bromley, between 2016 and 2020.

A business card seen by News Shopper, which has the same branding as the company’s Twitter account, names him as chief executive.

Cllr Fortune has hit back at the claims, branding them "desperate nonsense."News Shopper:

Cllr Angela Wilkins, leader of Bromley Labour, said: “It appears from this business card that Cllr Fortune was the company’s Chief Executive.

"The CEO is an organisation’s most prominent representative, so the first question has to be ‘Exactly what was Cllr Fortune’s role and exactly what was (or is) he receiving by way of compensation for this work?'

“As executive member for Education and Children’s Services Cllr Fortune has strong relationships with local schools.

“This is a clear conflict.”

Cllr Wilkins also claims to have spoken with someone who has "liaised directly" with Cllr Fortune in his capacity as chief executive of Fitness In. 

According to the company’s Twitter account, Fitness In has run classes in at least five Bromley schools since 2016: St Mary Cray Primary Academy, The Darrick Wood School, Pratts Bottom School, Bickley Park School and Burnt Ash Primary School.

Cllr Fortune has held the portfolio for children, education and families since 2015, and the deputy leadership since 2017.

Cllr Fortune has not listed any role with Fitness In on his register of interests.

Councillors are obliged to disclose any interests which could inappropriately influence them in their work so they remain honest and transparent.

Bromley Labour has called for an urgent investigation into the matter as “failure to do so could cause serious reputational damage to the Council.”

Cllr Fortune has dismissed the claims as “desperate nonsense”.

He said: "This is desperate nonsense from Labour.

“They don't want to talk about Sadiq Khan's abysmal record as Mayor or his plan to charge drivers up to £5.50 to enter Greater London. Instead, they are playing the worst kind of politics.

"I'm proud of my record on Bromley Council.

“I've dedicated years to representing residents and improving council services.

“In two years, I transformed Bromley's children services from an Ofsted ranking of inadequate to good with 'outstanding' leadership.

"I would advise Cllr Angela Wilkson to spend less time smearing others and more time talking to the residents she is supposed to represent.

“If Angela did, she might support my efforts to scrap Labour's disastrous Low Traffic Neighbourhood, which is causing misery in Crystal Palace."