Islington News: Cllr Catherine West | Public Apology | Terry Stacy

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 09 January 2009

Cllr Catherine West

Probe into politician’s remarks abandoned after apology pledge

LABOUR group leader Councillor Catherine West will make a public apology next week for a comment she made at a meeting six months ago, the Tribune can reveal.
An investigation into whether or not Cllr West breached the Town Hall’s code of conduct – after she was accused of offending Lib Dem deputy leader Councillor Terry Stacy, who is gay – has been abandoned, after she agreed to apologise at next week’s executive meeting.
Cllr West will say sorry – for the third time – for making remarks which could have offended Cllr Stacy.
However, Labour and Tory members at the meeting, say Cllr West’s comments were misinterpreted. Her supporters told the Tribune she was “at the forefront of standing up for people’s rights”.
Cllr West immediately apologised at the meeting and has also sent a written apology to Cllr Stacy.
The Labour leader faced the scrutiny of the council’s standards committee after Lib Dem councillor Ursula Woolley submitted a complaint about her words. The committee inquiry, which wrapped up last month, is understood to have cost several thousand pounds.
Labour insiders say they are pleased with the findings but have questioned the cost of bringing the complaint. One source said: “We’re really pleased. She has been vindicated – the committee agreed she hadn’t done anything wrong. It was easy to sort out.
“She is effectively repeating an apology that was made in the first place and she’s apologised since in a letter to Terry. It brings into question how much money was spent on this.”
However, a Lib Dem source said: “You don’t apologise for something unless you’ve done something wrong. Cllr West will be apologising for the comments she made at that meeting and admits they could have been misinterpreted and could have caused distress or embarrassment to Cllr Stacy but never set out to harm anyone.
“She hasn’t really been vindicated because she’s apologised for the error that she made. Dragging this out isn’t going to help anyone. It’s also a costly exercise. She apologised for the comments but doesn’t deny making them.”
According to council insiders, the standards committee investigated claims Cllr West made “offensive remarks” contrary to the members’ code of conduct at the July 3 meeting. But the panel, led by Father Jim Kennedy, abandoned the inquiry after Cllr Stacy agreed to accept Cllr West’s apology.

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment: