West Suffolk councillors Nick Clarke and Andy Drummond found in ‘serious’ breach of multiple rules including bullying, discrimination, and harassment

Two councillors have been found in 'serious' breach of multiple codes of conduct, including bullying, discrimination, and harassment.

The chairman of West Suffolk's standards committee, Cllr Roger Dicker, announced during last night's full council meeting that Cllrs Nick Clarke and Andy Drummond had been found in 'serious' breach of the councillors' code of conduct.

Both councillors breached six codes each — both included codes of bullying, disclosing confidential information, using their positions to the advantage or disadvantage of themselves or anyone else, and bringing their role or local authority into disrepute.

Cllr Clarke, who represents Clare, Hundon and Kedington, also broke rules to do with harassment and treating other councillors and members of the public with respect.

Cllr Drummond, who represents Herringswell and Red Lodge, broke codes to do with respect for volunteers and employees of the council or other partner organisations, and discrimination unlawfully against a person.

When asked to apologise to the council, Cllr Nick Clarke maintained he had nothing to say.

Sanctions imposed on him by the committee included that he should apologise to the council, that a statement about his conduct should be released to the media, and that he should write a letter of apology to each of the complainants.

As a result of the committee hearing, he was removed from his seat on the officer appointments committee.

Cllr Clarke also stood down as the leader of the Conservative Group by himself, although one of the sanctions would've recommended him to do so — Cllr Beccy Hopfensperger has now taken over the role.

When prompted to apologise, Cllr Drummond said: "Obviously, I would like to apologise to the council, I can't go into the detail of exactly what happened."

His speech was cut short so as not to reveal any private information.

Sanctions imposed on him also included a public apology to the council and a written letter of apology to the three complainants and the data subject, as well as a statement about his conduct to the media.

Cllr Drummond was also removed from his seat on the officer appointments and development control committees, as well as from the Local Plan working group for the remainder of the current administration.

Speaking after last night's meeting, the council's leader, Cliff Waterman, called the announcement very sad and disappointing.

He added: "We expect the very highest standards from all our councillors, our residents elect us and they expect us to behave well.

"We have seen over recent years a deterioration in the behaviour of some elected representatives in public life."

He also criticised Cllr Clarke's decision not to apologise.

Cllr Waterman said: "I'm glad that one did his ask and apologised and I'm disappointed the other one didn't.

"My advice to [Cllr Nick Clarke] would've been to apologise and move on, but he has made the situation worse."