Pendle councillor David Whipp breached code of conduct

The deputy leader of Pendle Council and its Liberal Democrat group boss David Whipp was found to have disrespected fellow council members when he opened a door aggressively during an executive meeting debate in October 2022.

All complaints made against the veteran councillor referred to the force he opened the door with, and four Pendle Tory councillors, David Albin, Jenny Purcell, Ash Sutcliffe and Kevin Slater all accused Cllr Whipp of kicking the door open.

After Cllr Albin had closed the door, they saw Cllr Whipp standing outside the doorway with his leg raised in a position that had led them to believe he had kicked the door open.

A decision as to whether he kicked the door open will be made later this month. 

Several witnesses testified to say that he hadn’t kicked the door open which is something Cllr Whipp continues to refute.

A standards committee meeting was held on the matter on Wednesday.

Investigating officer, Sue Ward, considered the actions of Cllr Whipp to have created an unpleasant, intimidating and hostile situation for councillors Albin and Purcell by his unwelcome and unnecessary physical conduct.

Cllr Ward’s report said: “Our conclusion is the actions of Cllr Whipp, when forcibly opening the door, after David Albin and Jenny Purcell had closed it, with no consideration to the safety and wellbeing of his fellow councillors and without justification, amounts to failing to treat fellow councillors with respect."

In his witness statement, Cllr Whipp said that he felt force to the door when he tried to open it and when he tried a second time there was no resistance which explained why the door ‘flew’ open.

Cllr Whipp said: “The committee did find that I breached the code of conduct, and I have apologised, and I will apologise to the full council.”

The Standards Committee meeting was originally scheduled for June but was delayed because it clashed with Eid celebrations meaning some witnesses were unable to attend.