Dr Crippen is unwell

I took a strong dislike to the recent ad hominem attack mounted by the Taxpayers’ Alliance on various local authority chief executives many of whom earn substantially more than the TPA bogey salary of £100,000. The Chief Executive of Kent has been singled out for particular comment.

The number of council "fat cats" earning salaries of more than £100,000 rose by a third last year, the Taxpayers' Alliance said today. The pressure group said it was an "insult" that such high salaries were being paid on the back of above-inflation council tax rises. The Local Government Association responded that compared to senior salaries in the private sector, taxpayers were getting very good value. According to data obtained by the Taxpayers Alliance group under the Freedom of Information Act, the ten highest town hall earners were paid more than the prime minister. (The Guardian)

The second highest earner was

Kent chief executive Peter Gilroy - who banked £229,999.

Why use the word "banked"? Is it some sort of insidious innuendo to suggest that he did not "earn" the money?  How can everyone be so rude about this man? Council chief executives always used to be lawyers, but it seems the field has now broadened. I thought I would do some research on Peter Gilroy, whom I felt was being subjected to such unwarranted and unfair criticism, and try to mount a defence for him. This is what I found.

Peter joined local government following a career in nursing, specialising in psychiatric social work. Following further social work training Peter spent the early part of his career in practice, including attachments to primary health. (Kent County Council)

Peter is a "chief-executive nurse specialist". Dr Crippen has checked into The Priory hospital for a medication review and a short period of recuperation.