Councillors in 'serious' breach of conduct rules

Andy Drummond and Nick Clarke were each found in breach of six codes of conduct by West Suffolk Council

Two councillors have been found in "serious" breach of conduct rules, including on bullying, discrimination and harassment.

Nick Clarke and Andy Drummond, Conservative members of West Suffolk Council, each breached six rules of the councillors' code of conduct, a meeting of the authority heard on Tuesday.

When asked to apologise, Mr Clarke maintained he had nothing to say.

Mr Drummond said he wanted to apologise but his speech was cut short to avoid revealing any private information.

Mr Clarke said he had nothing to say when asked to apologise at the council meeting

Both councillors breached rules relating to bullying, disclosing confidential information, using their positions to the advantage or disadvantage of themselves or anyone else, and bringing their role or local authority into disrepute.

Mr Clarke, councillor for Hundon and Kedington, also broke rules relating to harassment and treating other councillors and members of the public with respect, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Mr Drummond, councillor for Iceni ward, broke rules relating to respect for volunteers and employees of the council or other partner organisations, and discrimination unlawfully against a person.

Sanctions imposed on them include writing a letter of apology to complainants.

Mr Clarke will be removed from his seat on the officer appointments committee and as leader of the Conservative group.

Becky Hopfensperger has taken on the latter role.

'Made the situation worse'

Mr Drummond was also removed from the officer appointments and development control committees, as well as from the Local Plan working group for the remainder of the current administration.

"Obviously, I would like to apologise to the council. I can’t go into the detail of exactly what happened," he told the meeting.

Speaking after the meeting, the council's Labour leader, Cliff Waterman, said: "We expect the very highest standards from all our councillors.

"Our residents elect us and they expect us to behave well.

"We have seen over recent years a deterioration in the behaviour of some elected representatives in public life."

On Mr Clarke's decision not to apologise, he said: "My advice to [Mr Clarke] would have been to apologise and move on, but he has made the situation worse."