His representatives say that he was never technically suspended, but they do say the Rhodes Trust asked for an additional recommendation in order to allow his application, and interview, to proceed.
Mr Straw said that the accounting changes were introduced, on police recommendation, in order to produce a more accurate picture of the true level of crime.
Councillor Graham Lawman also welcomed the recommendation to use the order, saying that should the scheme not go ahead the town would be open to smaller developments around the countryside.