The Ombudsman received a complaint that a Member (“the Member”) of Monmouthshire County Council (“the Council”) had breached the Code of Conduct (“the Code”).
It was alleged that the Member breached the Code during a scrutiny committee meeting by using words which intimated that the Complainant had lied in a video submission to the Committee.
The Ombudsman determined that investigation was appropriate and that the following paragraphs of the Code should be considered: 4(b) – You must show respect and consideration for others.
Information was obtained from the Council, including relevant minutes and correspondence. Witness evidence was obtained and the Member was interviewed.
The investigation found that the comments made by the Member were political in nature as they were acting in their capacity as a Cabinet Member. The Member had felt it necessary to defend a statement within the video relating to a councillor colleague who was not present at the meeting and that they were careful to avoid directly calling the Complainant a liar.