THE Claer Lloyd-Jones report is one of the most extraordinary documents in recent Winchester public life.

Nobody escapes criticism and the city council is lashed for pressing on with Silver Hill when it was obvious in 2007 that it was heading into legal trouble; the council officers and members were not on top of the job; the council structure, reorganised to be more modern, was not fit for purpose.

Yet whilst acknowledging it was a “perfect storm” she seemingly omits to take that into account. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Ms Lloyd-Jones unwisely echoes the name of the anti-Silver Hill group. It looks like she is playing to the gallery.

And the force of her report is diluted by several instances of poor judgment. She mentions corruption but then says there is no evidence. Why then mention it, a terrible smear?

She also says Cllr Kim Gottlieb, widely known to be a London property developer, should be “investigated.” What for?

But the fact remains that despite its failings this is a damning report which the council should not seek to sidestep.

Yet the council appears keen on carrying on with the Silver Hill scheme, just without co-developer THRE. That would be another mistake.

The Silver Hill ‘brand’ is now so toxic that anything other than starting again from scratch will be tainted, and like a cancer infect all city council work.