Governor entertained Brent leader on India trip

Copland school's former chairman of governors entertained the leader of Brent council on a trip to India, and later threw a party for her.

Ann John went sightseeing to the Taj Mahal and Gandhi Memorial after Dr IP Patel organised flights and visas for her and others to attend the opening of the Swaminarayan Temple in Delhi.

Dr Patel bought her dinner at Delhi's Le Meridien Hotel and paid for her driver during her six-day stay in November 2005.

In a "Leader's Delhi Diary" on the council website, she describes the "impressive" temple: "Every evening at 6.30, beautifully-coloured musical fountains tell a story in celebration of the cycles of life. Equally remarkable were the surrounding formal gardens, which also cover a huge area.

"I couldn't go to India and not see the Taj Mahal, which was everything I thought it would be and more."

The hospitality shows how Dr Patel worked hard to foster close links with influential figures in the community.

He and the other trustees of the Swaminarayan Temple in Neasden also threw a party for Ms John to celebrate her OBE.

She said she paid for all her flights and accommodation, and the trip had been "private". She added: "I wasn't attending as a council leader."

Ms John, who is no longer leader, said she had properly declared Dr Patel's hospitality. Asked why she went on the trip, she said: "I thought it would be rather nice and a great opportunity. I had never been to India before.

"I P was pleased I was there, particularly because I was a local councillor. I have absolutely no regrets about supporting events organised by any of our schools, and that includes Copland."

Ms John declared the value of the meal at Le Meridien to be £25 and the taxi driver for trips to the temple at £25.

She said she was "absolutely gutted" by the furore over Copland. "It is very upsetting and I just hope that the investigation is quick and that the kids get a proper education," she said.