Councillors in England face suspensions for misconduct as part of government overhaul

"Mayors and councillors in England face suspensions of up to six months for serious misconduct and repeated rule breaches as the government seeks to overhaul standards in local government. Under plans unveiled on Tuesday, local authorities will be handed powers to suspend rule-breaking councillors and mayors, including those found guilty of bullying and assault, and to withhold their allowances. Ministers said the changes, which will be introduced via parliamentary legislation, would help improve public confidence in local government."

"The government said there were two cases of councillors this year who were convicted for serious offences but remained in post until they were handed prison sentences. In one case in January, a councillor from Devon was jailed for 18 weeks after a tirade of abuse against a senior council officer. Len Ford, a member of Torridge district council, was found guilty of harassment after saying the council's head of legal, Staci Dorey, was corrupt, dishonest, Hitler and a disgrace to the human race."

"In March Paul Ockelton, a Tewkesbury borough councillor, was convicted of sexually assaulting a girl under 13. Richard Stanley, the Liberal Democrat leader of the council, said that once he was made aware he took the steps that I was legally able to take but Ockelton refused to resign from the authority at first. He eventually did so after being found guilty."

The government will allow local authorities to suspend mayors and councillors in England for up to six months for serious misconduct and repeated breaches of rules, and to withhold their allowances. The measures will be introduced through parliamentary legislation and aim to restore public confidence in local government. Cases cited include a Devon councillor jailed after an abusive tirade and a Torridge councillor convicted of harassment for calling a legal officer 'corrupt, dishonest, Hitler and a disgrace to the human race.' A Tewkesbury councillor was convicted of sexual assault. The proposals may also affect councillors seeking election abroad.

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