Sunday 4 December 2016

Just who is bringing Cardiff Council into " into disrepute"?

There appears to be something rather odd with how A spokesman for the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales and  Adjudication Panel for Wales. works when it comes to "disciplining " errant councillors.

Cardiff councillor and Assembly Neil McEvoy will face a tribunal over allegations he breached the council's code of conduct.
If he is found to have breached the code of conduct, he could face suspension for up to a year as a councillor or disqualification as a councillor for up to five years.
Coun McEvoy is currently the leader of the Plaid Cymru group on Cardiff council. He was also elected to the Assembly in May, representing South Wales Central.
A number of complaints have been investigated by the Public Services Ombudsman and the case has now been referred to the Adjudication Panel for Wales.
The allegation is that he breached paragraphs 4(a), 4(b) and 6(1)(a) of the councillors' code of conduct.
They read:4(a) You must carry out your duties and responsibilities with due regard to the principle that there should be equality of opportunity for all people, regardless of their gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, age or religion;(b) You must show respect and consideration for others6.1 You must— (a) not conduct yourself in a manner which could reasonably be regarded as bringing your office or authority into disrepute.
What ever you think about McMcevoy it does seem strange that it is being made by a Council  which has seen the ruling Labour group losing seven council seats under either through resignations or by-election losses.  
Former group spokesperson Sue White quit on Monday after two years as a Llandaff North councillor.
In a statement, she told Wales Online she resigned “because of bullying and what I perceive to be racial discrimination”.
Ms White said:
 “There is a culture of bullying in the Cardiff council Labour group which has been allowed to go unchecked for far too long.
“I myself have experienced it when I was the group secretary and, most recently, when I defended the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association (AMA).”

she later sdded
"I have worked for the Labour party all my adult life, my parents have been Labour activists for 70 years, and the behaviour I have witnessed while I have served as a councillor in Cardiff bears no resemblance to the fundamental Labour policies of inclusion, equality and respect."
I do not know what Neil Mcevoy has been accused of he is admittedly a controversial  and confrontational politician, but it seems the complaints  and disciplinary process  particularly  under

6.1 You must— (a) not conduct yourself in a manner which could reasonably be regarded as bringing your office or authority into disrepute.

seems to be geared against opposition councillors , whereas those in charge can dismiss allegations of bullying and racism by setting up a investigation run by themselves .

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