More complaints about county councillor

Former leader Brian Greenslade already censured

Devon County Council says 5 more people have come forward with complaints about Councillor Brian Greenslade. 

2 months ago the authority took serious action against the long-standing Liberal Democrat councillor and former council-leader. The council published a lengthy statement that censured Councillor Brian Greenslade for sexual misconduct against female members of council staff. They said "The sustained and repeated sexual harassment of female members of staff and abuse of his position as a senior and established member of the Council over a prolonged period fell well short of the conduct that can reasonably be expected of an elected member."

Within a week, the Lib Dems suspended him, which means he is now an independent councillor. Since 2011, councils have not had the power to disqualify or suspend councillors. 

Brian Greenslade said he would appeal against the decision and said he was not given a fair hearing as he was out of the country. 

Now, a Freedom of Information request has revealed that more people have come forward with complaints about him. Published on the Council's website, it says: 

"1) How many further complaints have there been about Councillor Brian Greenslade following the publication of the Standards Committee findings that he sexually harassed staff?

The Chief Executive of the Council has submitted a second complaint about Councillor Greenslade to the Council’s Monitoring Officer. That complaint is based on accounts provided by five current and former employees of the Council who have each alleged misconduct by Councillor Greenslade. They have come forward since the formal censure of Councillor Greenslade by the Standards Committee on 2 July 2018. Since the receipt of the Chief Executive’s second complaint a further former member of staff has come forward and is willing to be part of the second complaint process.

2) What action is the council taking in regard to these complaints?

The Chief Executive’s complaint will be dealt with according to the Council’s formal procedures for dealing with complaints about members of the Council."