Given the controversy surrounding Councillor Warrington’s appointment to the standards watchdog, does her past involvement in the “Trigger me Timbers” group, and the derogatory language used therein, create a conflict of interest and undermine public trust in the council’s ability to uphold ethical standards?
In a move that has sparked a storm of controversy, a Tameside councillor, previously suspended for her involvement in a highly contentious political WhatsApp group, has been appointed to her authority’s standards watchdog. This decision, shrouded in accusations of hypocrisy and ethical breaches, underscores the complex interplay between accountability and political maneuvering. Imagine, a guardian of conduct, herself implicated in a firestorm of derogatory remarks – a scenario that throws the very foundation of trust into question. the whispers of “idiots” and “bonkers,” the very language wielded in that now infamous social media chat, now echo in the halls of governance. This is not just a story about one individual; it’s a stark reminder of the challenges faced when seeking to uphold ethical standards.
Brenda Warrington was a member of the ‘Trigger Me Timbers’ social media chat, in which messages containing derogatory comments about constituents were made, prompting the suspensions of Labour councillors and MPs.
Tameside Council Conservatives criticised former council leader Warrington being put onto the committee, which investigates breaches of the code of conduct.
Warrington and tameside Council have been approached for comment.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service reports that at a Tameside Council meeting on Tuesday, Conservative councillor dan Costello said Warrington was a member of a social media group in which members of the public were “mocked and abused”.
Costello said the actions of those in the group were not “anything close to high standards of conduct”.
“In the transcripts from that group Councillor warrington has over 1,500 contributions. These contributions include descriptions of people as ‘idiots’, ‘stupid’, ‘peevish’ and even as ‘bonkers’.”
Costello said he accepted there was “no constitutional reason” Ms Warrington could not be appointed to the committee, but he questioned her presence.
labour’s Councillor Joe Kitchen, chair of council business, said issues related to the WhatsApp group were under investigation and those enquiries were ongoing.
A councillor suspended for involvement in a controversial political WhatsApp group has been appointed to her authority’s standards watchdog.
Brenda Warrington was a member of the ‘Trigger Me Timbers’ social media chat, in which messages containing derogatory comments about constituents were made, prompting the suspensions of Labour councillors and MPs.
Tameside Council Conservatives criticised former council leader Warrington being put onto the committee, which investigates breaches of the code of conduct.
Warrington and Tameside Council have been approached for comment.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service reports that at a Tameside Council meeting on Tuesday, Conservative councillor Dan Costello said Warrington was a member of a social media group in which members of the public were “mocked and abused”.
Costello said the actions of those in the group were not “anything close to high standards of conduct”.
“In the transcripts from that group Councillor Warrington has over 1,500 contributions. These contributions include descriptions of people as ‘idiots’, ‘stupid’, ‘peevish’ and even as ‘bonkers’.”
Costello said he accepted there was “no constitutional reason” Ms Warrington could not be appointed to the committee, but he questioned her presence.
Labour’s Councillor Joe Kitchen, chair of council business, said issues related to the WhatsApp group were under investigation and those enquiries were ongoing.
