Local authority appoints lawyer amid claims of bullying by councillors

Council leader Donna Jones named lawyer Richard Lingard to lead the investigation, and he will interview senior figures regarding claims made against elected members, and invite staff to anonymously voice concerns.

Cllr Jones said: "We recognise that staff may feel uncomfortable coming forward and speaking out about bullying, so our approach in hiring an independent person to investigate will ensure their anonymity, and give them an avenue to talk about their experiences."

She described Mr Lingard, a former head of legal services at Guildford Borough council, as “the perfect man for the job”, and added "we have strong policies to address issues of bullying and harassment and our staff understand the importance of treating one another with respect and dignity. It's vital that members also follow these policies."

Mark Smulian