Former Eye mayor in breach of respect, bullying and confidentiality codes, report finds

A former town mayor was in breach of respect, bullying and confidentiality codes, a report has said.

On November 22, the Suffolk joint standards board sub-committee met to discuss a complaint lodged against Cllr Johnnie Walker, former Mayor of Eye, in March.

The council report said Cllr Walker breached four different codes of conduct — these were:

- Respect.

- Bullying, harassment, and discrimination.

- Confidentiality and Access to Information.

- Disrepute.

According to the report, Cllr Walker said his actions were to protect Eye Town Council and had, at no point, acted aggressively or in a prejudiced manner towards the complainant.

He was still the town mayor when the complaint was submitted.

Cllr Walker added the complainant had only been identified in correspondence with other councillors, not publicly, and all documentation circulated identifying the complainant was not labelled as confidential and entitled to be shared.

Committee members concluded Cllr Walker's view of protecting the council was naive and steps should have been taken in accordance with the appropriate legislation.

The sanctions recommended by the committee were to censure the former mayor and ask for him to attend training on the code of conduct, data protection legislation and safeguarding.

Censuring is a formal reprimand or statement of disapproval for actions against the code.

Committee members also recommended all other councillors should have the same training.

Eye Town Council said it had taken detailed and written advice from the monitoring officer on how to deal with the situation and followed guidance to the letter.

The council added it had acted appropriately and proportionately as per the advice given to us.

Cllr Walker was approached for comment.