Councillor banned for rudeness

Warren Bates: censured by committee

UKIP councillor Warren Bates has been censured for being “rude and disrespectful” to a veteran soldier at a public meeting.

Oldham council’s standards committee says Councillor Bates breached its code of conduct in the way he spoke to 84-year-old John Crompton, chairman of Failsworth Historical Society.

At a meeting of Failsworth and Hollinwood district executive last July, Councillor Bates had asked “Who are you? Yov’ve never done anything” in a “loud and aggressive manner” as Mr Crompton asked a question, even though he had known him for many years. He gesticulated at him and then remembered his name in a “theatrical manner”.

He also wrote a note to a member of the public, which said “Crompton never lifted a finger to defend memorial land” - a reference to a controversy surrounding land near Failsworth Lower Memorial Park.

The panel heard that Councillor Bates glared aggressively at either committee chairman Councillor Elaine Garry or Oldham Council assistant executive director Colette Kelly, who were sitting next to each other.

The standards committee concluded Councillor Bates had breached its code, which says members should not bully othyer people, should treat others with respect and mustn’t act in a way that brings disrepute to his office or the council.

Councillor Bates didn’t submit any evidence to the investigation. He was censured and banned from attending Failsworth town hall for three months when members of Failsworth Historical Society were present.