Weapons brought into Brighton Cityclean waste site by staff – inquiry

A samurai sword was among illegal weapons found at the waste depot in Hollingdean

Staff at a waste services depot where a "toxic" culture existed brought in illegal weapons to show other workers, an inquiry was told.

A report found "abuses and violence" at the site run by Brighton & Hove City Council's (BHCC) waste service provider, Cityclean.

Council officers found a sword, nunchucks and knives in the GMB trade union's office at the Hollingdean site.

The GMB said the alleged behaviours in the report were "unacceptable".

The independent inquiry by Aileen McColgan KC heard from 70 witnesses across the three-month investigation.

BHCC, which commissioned the report, said the weapons were found following a search prompted by witness statements to the inquiry.

Among the report's findings were accounts of:

• Threats by staff to stab others

• Staff making implicit and explicit threats of violence, and using violence

• Staff making inappropriate sexual comments to and about women

• Racist abuse and daubing bin lorries with racist graffiti

• Homophobic abuse

In her report, Ms McColgan KC said: "Many of the individuals accused of these inappropriate behaviours are either GMB reps within the council or are among a group of 10 white men who were described by witnesses as having been protected by the GMB reps within the council."

She added that "those individuals had not yet been given an opportunity to answer those allegations".

The report also added that GMB reps had "used strike threats" to maintain a toxic culture at the depot.

Ms McColgan's report recommended a series of actions to improve safety and culture at the waste services provider, including disciplinary action for those accused of wrongdoing, changes to the day-to-day running of the service and taking firm action on behaviour and equality matters.

Council leader Bella Sankey apologised to all affected staff for the "toxic culture that was allowed to grow and fester" and described the report as "deeply shocking".

She added: "Now the depth of the bullying, aggression, racism, misogyny and homophobia have been exposed, I have vowed to take action to ensure this toxic culture is never allowed to rear its head again."

Questions over balance

The council's chief executive, Will Tuckley, said: "I have today written to the GMB about the need for us to work together on the recommendations, and in joining me to root out these horrendous behaviours that have mired the service for many years."

The GMB said in a statement: "The type of language and behaviours alleged in the report are entirely unacceptable and employees and the people of Brighton and Hove need to have confidence that these have been investigated thoroughly and correctly.

"However, GMB is very concerned that this report fails the basic test of fairness. It has been compiled and published without contributions from people who are the subject of allegations, raising serious questions regarding its balance."

The union claimed that some statements to the inquiry were unsupported but reiterated its "unwavering" commitment to "facing down discrimination and bad behaviour".

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