Councillor accused of making racist comments against Travellers- Cambridgeshire

From cambridgenews.co.uk

A councillor accused of making racist comments about Travellers has quit his influential committee post after a probe upheld the allegations.

An investigation into the behaviour of Cllr Mervyn Loynes, who represents Bourn on South Cambridgeshire District Council, found he caused the authority to breach equalities law.

It also concluded he had failed to treat others with respect and had brought his office or authority into disrepute.

The investigation was carried out by an independent officer.

The final decision on whether the councillors’ code of conduct has been breached will be taken by a panel of councillors later this year, but Cllr Loynes – who denies any wrongdoing – has stepped down as vice-chairman of the planning committee.

Cllr Loynes, was also the chairman of the council’s planning enforcement subcommittee, which oversees legal action against Travellers living on unauthorised sites.

Comments made by Cllr Loynes, pictured, before the February meeting, when councillors considered controversial pitches at Smithy Fen in Cottenham, are the subject of the inquiry.

There are fears decisions made by the committee could be open to legal challenge if Cllr Loynes, a Conservative who was re-elected in May, is found to have flouted the code of conduct.

Cllr Loynes told the News: “I do not agree with the allegations made against me and do not believe I have breached the council’s strict code of conduct.

“I have worked extremely hard as the chairman of the planning enforcement sub-committee to do a difficult job as fairly and as well as I can.

“However, it has been extremely difficult having the shadow of allegations hanging over me and I would not want to bring the office or the council into disrepute.

“It is for this reason that I feel it only right to give notice that I will play no further part in the planning committee.”

Cllr Loynes is expected to appear before a standards panel after a new code of conduct is approved by councillors later this month.

Cllr Sebastian Kindersley, the opposition leader, said: “I’m anxious that a lot of quite important decisions made by the planning enforcement subcommittee could be open to further judicial challenge if the finding is that he is biased against a particular community.”

Cllr Ray Manning, the council leader, said: “Cllr Loynes has been an extremely hardworking and conscientious member of the planning committee.

“However, I understand his wish to act honourably in the circumstances and have accepted his resignation with regret.”