Stokes leaves West Australian Metals

West Australian Metals chief executive and managing director, Gary Stokes has given his notice of resignation effective immediately, following Corruption and Crime Commission recommendations to prosecute him over his alleged engagement in serious misconduct.

The West Perth-based uranium and minerals exploration company said in a statement today that Mr Stokes had decided to resign as he considers it is in the best interest of the company pending resolution of the issues raised in the recent CCC report arising from his former employment as the deputy dircetor general for the Department of Industry and Resources.

The state corruption watchdog recommended Mr Stokes be prosecuted after finding he engaged in serious misconduct for supplying information to disgraced former premier Brian Burke.

A CCC report tabled in parliament in early October recommended that the Director of Public Prosecutions consider a trial after the latter advised that there was a prima facie case against Mr Stokes.

The report found that Mr Stokes, in his then position as deputy director general of the Department of Industry and Resources, had unlawfully disclosed information to Mr Burke and his partner Julian Grill.

The CCC allege that Mr Stokes had passed two DoIR letters to Mr Burke relating to the department's position on a proposal to change the land's zoning to enable a housing development rather than allowing the development after the area had first been mined.