AN investigation into an alleged ‘sexist’ remark made by a male city councillor to a female officer has been concluded 'informally.'
Women’s Equality Party (WEP) candidate Leisa Taylor reported Conservative councillor Chris Mitchell after he supposedly told the officer to “give us a twirl” during an election briefing at the Guildhall on March 18.
Ms Taylor, who is standing in the Bedwardine ward, said herself and another candidate filed complaints but originally did not wish to reveal the name of the councillor complained about.
However, the Worcester News has now seen a letter from city council monitoring officer Sian Stroud which states it was Cllr Mitchell, who is standing in St Clement ward on Thursday.
Ms Stroud, writing on Monday, said: “I have concluded this matter under the informal stages of the procedure. It is therefore now closed, as far as I am concerned.”
She said she had considered the complaint under the council’s Procedure for Assessment and Investigation of Complaints under the Members Code of Conduct.
As part of the investigation, Cllr Mitchell was spoken to and a designated ‘independent person’ for standards matters was also consulted, as per requirements.
Ms Stroud concluded by thanking Ms Taylor for bringing the matter to her attention, adding the code “supports the council in promoting high standards of ethical behaviour in local government.”
Ms Taylor said both candidates who complained “are planning to write an open letter to the council outlining their concerns and barriers for women getting involved in politics.”
Ms Taylor, who is the leader of Worcester WEP, said: “It feels like it’s been brushed [aside]” but added “we couldn’t have hoped for a better resolution, realistically.”
She hopes councillors will sign the open letter, to be released after the elections, adding that some councillors had already voiced their support which “proves a point."
She added: “There are many barriers, sexism is a big thing. Not all women feel comfortable in male majority environments.”
She said there’s still the cliche that “men will just wake up one morning and decide they want to be a councillor whereas women have to be asked.”
Cllr Mitchell said: “A complaint has been made, the matter has been closed and no action has been taken. My conscience is clear.”
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