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Stratford politicians rapped in 'good breeding hips' comment probe | Stratford politicians rapped in 'good breeding hips' comment probe |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A councillor told a colleague that if she wanted fertility support he would perform a pagan ritual for her, an investigation into his conduct found. | A councillor told a colleague that if she wanted fertility support he would perform a pagan ritual for her, an investigation into his conduct found. |
He told the same woman she had "good breeding hips" and blamed his age and "the wrong tablets" for his actions. | He told the same woman she had "good breeding hips" and blamed his age and "the wrong tablets" for his actions. |
The probe into behaviour at Stratford-on-Avon District Council was launched after complaints, with another man said to have stroked a woman's neck. | The probe into behaviour at Stratford-on-Avon District Council was launched after complaints, with another man said to have stroked a woman's neck. |
Both councillors have apologised and been told to attend training courses. | |
The local authority said the investigation followed concerns raised by a former employee, with five councillors scrutinised. | The local authority said the investigation followed concerns raised by a former employee, with five councillors scrutinised. |
According to a council report, her complaints originated in a private Facebook message that was "leaked into the public domain". | According to a council report, her complaints originated in a private Facebook message that was "leaked into the public domain". |
She described a sexist culture, citing examples including the "hips" comment. | She described a sexist culture, citing examples including the "hips" comment. |
That specific complaint - and one about the pagan ritual offer - pertained to Peter Barnes, 78. | That specific complaint - and one about the pagan ritual offer - pertained to Peter Barnes, 78. |
The council also investigated complaints Mr Barnes engaged in sexual innuendo and sexist language with female staff, "behaving in a way" that made them "feel uncomfortable" and wish "to avoid him". | The council also investigated complaints Mr Barnes engaged in sexual innuendo and sexist language with female staff, "behaving in a way" that made them "feel uncomfortable" and wish "to avoid him". |
The report found the evidence against him was "overwhelming" and his behaviour "longstanding", rejecting "wrong tablets" and his being of an "older generation" as an excuse. | The report found the evidence against him was "overwhelming" and his behaviour "longstanding", rejecting "wrong tablets" and his being of an "older generation" as an excuse. |
"Comments about good breeding hips are hardly likely to enhance the [council's] profile," it concluded, finding Mr Barnes to have breached the council's code of conduct, bringing it into disrepute. | "Comments about good breeding hips are hardly likely to enhance the [council's] profile," it concluded, finding Mr Barnes to have breached the council's code of conduct, bringing it into disrepute. |
The same conclusion was reached over 74-year-old colleague John Fielding. | The same conclusion was reached over 74-year-old colleague John Fielding. |
In addition to stroking a council officer's neck, complaints included invading female staff's personal space, and telling a worker about his sexual health. | In addition to stroking a council officer's neck, complaints included invading female staff's personal space, and telling a worker about his sexual health. |
The report found "overwhelming" evidence of "unacceptable behaviour", adding female staff "do not like to be with" him. | The report found "overwhelming" evidence of "unacceptable behaviour", adding female staff "do not like to be with" him. |
Both have submitted a written apology to all employees. A Conservative Party spokesperson said Mr Fielding had had the Conservative whip withdrawn. | Both have submitted a written apology to all employees. A Conservative Party spokesperson said Mr Fielding had had the Conservative whip withdrawn. |
Two more unnamed councillors have been cleared of any wrongdoing, while a fifth continues to be investigated. | Two more unnamed councillors have been cleared of any wrongdoing, while a fifth continues to be investigated. |