DBS checks at council whose 'abusive' leader quit

Jonathan Nunn resigned as council leader following allegations of domestic abuse

A council whose leader resigned after five women made allegations of abuse against him is to bring in compulsory DBS checks.

West Northamptonshire Council's current leader said the move would fulfil a promise made to domestic violence charities following the resignation of Jonathan Nunn.

Councillors who have roles involving social care and education will face extra checks.

The current leader, Adam Brown, said the policy would show members of the council's cabinet did not "have anything to hide". Mr Nunn has strenuously denied the allegations and claimed he was the subject of a harassment campaign.

In April 2024, Mr Nunn resigned as Conservative leader of the council after the BBC heard from women who claimed he had kicked, punched, spat at and throttled them.

He had previously admitted assaulting his then wife in 2004 and had received a community order.

Conservative council leader, Adam Brown, said he had fulfilled a promise made to domestic violence charities

During the debate on DBS checks at Tuesday's meeting of the council's cabinet, its new leader, Adam Brown, said: "When we had the debate surrounding the conduct of the previous leader, there was a very strong demand from members of the public, charities and members of the council that we as a council adopt DBS checks.

"When I met with representatives of local domestic abuse charities, one of their key asks of us was that we implement [them].

"So I'm pleased to say that, five weeks later, we're fulfilling our promise to them."

Councillors whose roles involve the welfare of children or adults will have to have an enhanced DBS check

Before 2012, local authorities routinely carried out criminal records bureau (CRB) checks on councillors.

The Protection of Freedom Act 2012 restricted the number of activities that would require a person to undergo checks on their background.

Under the act, the CRB became the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

The policy adopted by the council's cabinet means all councillors will have to undergo a basic DBS check, and those whose roles involve decisions about the welfare of children or adults will have enhanced checks.

Liberal Democrat councillor Sally Beardsworth supported the policy

Sally Beardsworth, a Liberal Democrat, said: "For anyone coming into politics, it's important that they know that this is in place. For new candidates, we need to know that their history was good."

Labour's Bob Purser said: "It is very important that we set a standard and lead by example, and we can see what happens to institutions that get this wrong and lose public confidence."

Mr Brown said the policy would "demonstrate that none of us sat around this cabinet table have anything to hide".