Cllr Hicks guilty of “unreasonable and excessive personal attack”
2010-06-23An inquiry by Standards for England into the behaviour of Councillor Graeme Hicks has concluded that “in describing the Friends [of Penzance Harbour] as a ‘despicable mob’ Councillor Hicks made an unreasonable and excessive personal attack”.
By failing to treat others with respect Councillor Hicks was found in breach of the code of conduct for public servants. In defence of his actions Councillor Hicks had complained that the Friends of Penzance Harbour had “gone beyond legitimate democratic protest”, but the ethical standards officer concluded that “there is no evidence that Friends members had abused Councillor Hicks or made threats to him or anyone else.”
The ethical standards officer concluded that Councillor Hicks’ remarks about Soviet & Nazi propagandists “were not tasteful or proportionate” but did not breach the code of conduct.
The report concludes that “no action need be taken” against Councillor Hicks but the report’s finding that there has been a breach of the code of conduct carries significance, in itself, as a clear statement both to the councillor and to the public that the councillor’s conduct has fallen below the ethical standard required of him.
Councillor Hicks’ remarks were made in a letter written to the Editor of The Cornishman. The letter and our original response to the letter can be found below along with a copy of the Summary of the Standards for England report.
Standards for England Report : download pdf | view pdf
Cllr Hicks' letter and original FoPzH response.