Report finds Pendle's Cllr David Whipp broke code of conduct

The report says leading Liberal Democrat Councillor David Whipp was shouting and waving paper at Conservative Councillor Ash Sutcliffe.

It found Cllr Whipp breached Pendle Council’s code of conduct in his behaviour towards Cllr Sutcliffe as his physical actions and gestures, and "angry and raised voice" breached the council’s code.

Now, Pendle Council’s Standards Hearing Committee is to consider its response at a meeting on Monday, October 28, at Nelson Town Hall, starting at 7pm.

Cllr Sutcliffe made his complaint last year, accusing Cllr Whipp of "intimidating and derogatory" behaviour at a Pendle Council executive meeting at Nelson Town Hall in July 2023.

Cllr David Whipp's behaviour was 'unpleasant and intimidating' the report said It was alleged Cllr Whipp shook large sheets of A3 paper very close to Cllr Sutcliffe’s face while shouting, "Can you not read? Can you not read what you’ve done?" and, "This is what the Conservative administration has done".

This is according to the report by Sue Ward, an independent investigator from an organisation called MIAA, which works for Pendle Council.

In her report, Mrs Ward states there were 18 potential witnesses including Pendle councillors and officers to the alleged incident, but many did not make statements for one reason or another.

However, those who did included three Conservative councillors – Ash Sutcliffe, Nadeem Ahmed and Martyn Stone – and the council’s chief executive Rose Rouse.

The incident happened when Cllr Whipp raised concerns about a delay in publishing a Pendle Leisure Trust report and some words on page three of said report.

Tory Ash Sutcliffe reported the council's deputy leader The words stated: "The council has recognised it cannot afford to retain and refurbish/replace all three facilities and it needs to consider its options for the future."

Cllr Whipp had concerns about confusion over different dates and versions of the leisure report, timings of their release, having enough time to notify other council committees and the impact of election restrictions, the report states.

He also believed the leisure report’s wording suggested Pendle Council’s previous Conservative administration had briefed some consultants that they wanted to close one or two of the borough's leisure centres.

However, Conservatives including Cllr Sutcliffe who were at the executive meeting as observers, said that was not correct. It was when Cllr Sutcliffe spoke that Cllr Whipp started shouting and waving the papers, according to the investigation.

Cllr Whipp did not engage with the investigation, the report states, though he may have the opportunity to speak at next week’s meeting.

In conclusion, Mrs Ward said: “The allegation made against Cllr David Whipp, that he breached the code of conduct by disrespecting Cllr Ash Sutcliffe, can be seen to have been confirmed.

"Three witness statements provided by two councillors and one council officer give evidence that establish the validity of Cllr Sutcliffe’s allegations.”

She recommends Pendle Council should apply the next stage of dealing with alleged code of conduct breaches.