Northumberland councillor 'swore at his rival'

Jul 13 2009 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

A COMPLAINT has been lodged against a North councillor over claims he swore at a public meeting. Colin Horncastle, Northumberland councillor for the South Tynedale ward and a member of the Conservative Independent group, is said to have sworn at a meeting of the council’s West Area Committee, of which he is chairman, at Haydon Lodge, Haydon Bridge, on Tuesday.

He is alleged to have sworn at Liberal Democrat county councillor Neil Bradbury, member for Prudhoe West, referring to his group or administration in a disparaging manner.

An official complaint has been lodged with the council’s legal team by Pam Watson, of Haltwhistle. Mrs Watson was at the meeting with husband John and Margaret Forrest, both members of Haltwhistle Town Council. They were at the meeting to hand over a petition from town residents.

Mr Watson said last night: “I think it is disgusting. That is a public meeting they are supposed to be officials and here they are effing and blinding. It is not on.”

Kevin Little, of Shield Hill, Haltwhistle, was also at the meeting. He said: “I was not impressed, I could have reported him to the Standards Board myself.”

Coun Horncastle, who lives at Highfield Farm, Catton, last night firmly denied using a swearword. He said: “I most certainly did not. I am an experienced councillor, that is not the sort of language I use in public.”

Coun Bradbury, of Cranbrook Drive, Prudhoe, last night said he thought Coun Horncastle had used the word to him but that he had done a double take in the heat of the meeting.

“I do not listen to every word Colin Horncastle said. If he chooses to swear at me that is his choice. You get back in life what you give out.

“It is his performance as a councillor that bothers me.”

Once a complaint is received by the council, it refers it to the Standards Board for England, which then decides whether it should be investigated.