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Back in March I probably contravened ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ editorial guidelines on chequebook journalism by offering to buy Peter Lewis a pint in return for his version of why he was leaving his job as Corporate Director for Support Services at Cornwall Council. I now understand why he could afford to decline my hospitality.

The council's annual statement of accounts, presented to the Audit Committee yesterday, reveal the total cost of Peter's 12-month stay at County Hall was £231,274.

This was made up of £127,742 basic salary, £24,782 pension contributions and £78,750 compensation for loss of office.

At the time, the council's chief executive, Kevin Lavery, issued a brief statement which suggested the two men had disagreed about the pace of structural reform within the organisation. But when I asked the direct question, "was Peter sacked?" I was told he had made his own decision to leave.

So here are some more questions: if Peter was not sacked, why has he been paid nearly four times the average annual wage for Cornwall as compensation for loss of office? What were the specific differences between Peter Lewis and Kevin Lavery over structural reform within Cornwall Council? Which elected members were involved in appointing Peter Lewis in the first place? And which elected members were involved in negotiating his exit compensation?

The first straight answers might deserve a pint...