Lambeth Council leader faces misconduct charge (From This Is Local London)

Lambeth Council leader faces misconduct charge

7:40am Thursday 2nd September 2010 in

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Allegations Lambeth Council leader Steve Reed breached the code of conduct for elected members for his behaviour towards a defecting councillor will be considered today by a town hall standard's committee.

Disciplinary action, including the suspension of coun Reed, could result if the Standards (Assessment) Sub-Committee decide the matter should be the subject of a formal hearing, where the town hall boss is found guilty of misconduct.

A formal complaint was made by former Brixton Hill ward councillor Betty Evans-Jacas to the committee for her treatment by coun Reed when she left the Labour party to join the Conservatives in October last year.

He allegedly disclosed confidential information about her attendance at council and other public body meetings to members of the Labour Party.

The behaviour could be found to be in breach of the code of conduct for councillors. The matter has been investigated by independent investigators from Southwark Council.

Their confidential investigation report, that has not been disclosed to the press or public, is set to be discussed behind closed doors at the meeting.

If the committee, which is formed of two independent members and Lib Dem councillor Gavin Dodsworth, decide coun Reed has a case to answer he will be summoned either to a hearing before the council's standards committee, or the matter will be referred to national adjudicator the General Regulatory Chamber for determination.

Mrs Evans-Jacas went on to lose her seat at the May local elections.