The Complainant made a number of allegations about potentially inappropriate behaviour by a Former Member of the Council (the Former Member resigned shortly after the complaint was made to the Ombudsman). However, the majority of the incidents took place in the Former Member’s personal life and were not linked to his role as a member of the Council. The investigation therefore solely considered Section 6(1)(a) of the Code of Conduct, in relation to the allegation that the Former Member had brought his authority into disrepute through criminal conduct.
After commencing the investigation, the Police confirmed that, while some of the complaints raised had been investigated by the Police, a decision had since been made not to charge him, with the outcome recorded as ‘No Further Action’. Given this, while the Former Member’s arrest and his alleged behaviour leading up to it may have brought him personally into disrepute, there was insufficient evidence to suggest that it might have brought the Council or the role of member into disrepute.
It was therefore not considered proportionate, or within the public interest to continue the investigation, and the investigation was discontinued.