Nirah Project Diretor quits

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Could it get any worse? From the Times&Citizen.

" Nirah suffered a shuddering blow on Tuesday when its project director Ronnie Murning sensationally revealed he is about to quit in an emotional email.

Mr Murning wrote he had "had enough" after "we have despairingly plummeted to the depths we have on the project", which has stalled after a money row between the company fronting it and the consortium formed to fund its early stages.

His farewell to the troubled scheme will rob it of the brains which helped shape the successful Eden Project in Cornwall, which the 55-year-old architect worked on as design and development director.

But it has also caused considerable embarrassment, as the email fired off to around 40 people made some uncomplimentary references to borough councillor Tony Hare, who has publicly disagreed with some aspects of the Nirah proposals. Mr Murning also speculated indelicately about certain aspects of Coun Hare's private life.

In addition, Mr Murning described another of the scheme's outspoken critics – Mid Beds MP Nadine Dorries – as "even worse".

Bizarrely, he then appears to have included Mrs Dorries among the email's recipients. The latest twist to the increasingly fraught Nirah saga came only a day after a highly successful public meeting held by its
backers in Bedford.

A crowd of around 300 people turned up at the Corn Exchange and seemed overwhelmingly in favour of the £375
million concept for a freshwater aquarium and science centre at the Quest pit, Stewartby.

The meeting had been called to mobilise support for the project. But whatever fresh impetus was gained seems to have been lost after Mr Murning's extraordinary outburst. Peter May, chairman of Nirah Holdings, tried to limit the damage by issuing an apology on Wednesday morning, which said the company "unreservedly disassociates itself from the email and its contents". Mr Murning also apologised via email, and retracted his comments "regarding certain individuals".

That seems to have been enough for Mrs Dorries, who is understood not to be taking further action. However, Coun Hare has confirmed he is seeking legal advice over possible defamation.

Whatever Mr Murning's fate, a Nirah spokesman insisted work to get a planning permission bid submitted in August would go on. 30 June 2006 "

(As to the resignation, no comment, but Mr. Murning's behaviour at such a senstitive time was unbelievable crass and damaging. One just hopes that all involved calm down a little.)