Two bullying West Rainton parish councillors banned

Oct 15 2009 by Neil McKay, The Journal

“The panel criticised the two parish councillors for their callous and inhumane abuse of myself while my wife was dying and after her death from cancer.

“They objected to the deputy chairman presiding over a meeting last year while I was at home caring for my wife.

“They even questioned the decision by the council to send a £20 wreath to my wife’s funeral.”

The Standards Board Panel ruled: “At a time when the chairman should have received support and compassion from his colleagues, he was instead faced with a barrage of inappropriate questions which were raised in an unacceptable manner.” Mr Fawcett and Mr Clark, a driving instructor, were also judged to have been responsible for the “blatant bullying” of Mrs Briggs.

The ruling of the Standards Committee Panel was: “The Panel was unanimous in the belief that the matters before them were some of the most serious that the Standards Committee has had to consider.

“Members found that there had been blatant bullying of an officer and more serious, that the bullying occurred in public.”

Mr Fawcett was found guilty of “regularly challenging the competency and ability of Mrs Briggs” while Mr Clark was found to be “complicit in the behaviour of Coun Fawcett.”

Neither Mr Fawcett, of The Meadows, or Mr Clark, of Chantry Place, both West Rainton, were available for comment.