Newcastle Council Bullying Investigation Hits £74,000

National World - LocalTV

An ongoing bullying investigation into former Newcastle City Council leader Nick Kemp has cost over £74,000 and remains unresolved nearly a year after the complaint was made.

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00:00An ongoing investigation into a bullying complaint made against former Newcastle City Council leader Nick Kemp

00:06has already cost more than £74,000 of public money and remains unfinished nearly a year after the allegation was first made.

00:15The complaint was lodged in September 2023 by Michelle Percy, the Council's Director of Investments and Growth,

00:22accusing Kemp of bullying while he was serving as Council Leader.

00:25In November, the Council commissioned an external law firm to investigate the claim.

00:31But councillors were told this week the probe is still ongoing and not expected to conclude until August.

00:37Council solicitor Helen Wilson had told the Authorities, Audit and Standards Committee that the investigation has been a significant undertaking.

00:45She confirmed that the current cost of the inquiry stands at £74,632 plus VAT,

00:52with more costs likely to occur as the process continues.

00:56If the investigation finds that Kemp breached the Council's Code of Conduct,

01:01the matter would be referred to a special hearing before the committee.

01:04Independent Committee Chair Les Watson expressed frustration at the drawn-out timeline,

01:09saying the situation had gone on far too long.

01:12Nick Kemp resigned as Council Leader last September and has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

01:18He later left the Labour Party in November 2024 alongside five colleagues,

01:23a move that could have ended Labour's majority in the Council.

01:27Further, controversy surrounds the case as it was also revealed that complainant Michelle Percy is currently on leave from the Council.

01:34This follows the removal of the Council's Transport Division from her oversight

01:38after a separate forward investigation involving staff in that department was referred to the police.

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