Filton councillor Bill Moore quits Labour group amid bullying row
A COUNCILLOR has denied claims of bullying after a colleague quit his party group.
Roger Hutchinson, who represents Filton on South Gloucestershire Council, said he "wholeheartedly" disputed suggestions that a discussion he had with Filton town councillor Bill Moore constituted bullying "in any way, shape or form".
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Councillor Bill Moore
The row was made public when Mr Moore, pictured, dramatically quit the town council's Labour group during a meeting.
The 46-year-old, of Mackie Road, only joined the town council last year but since then has served as chairman of the finance committee.
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Mr Moore was re-elected as chairman in a committee meeting on Tuesday night, when he received votes from fellow Labour councillors.
But he then announced he was resigning from the Labour group with immediate effect.
Mr Moore claimed this was due to private discussions about residents and town council matters taking place at Labour party meetings, that were not minuted or recorded.
He told the meeting: "I was also accused of doing something by a Labour councillor that I did not do and was left to defend myself at a branch meeting without the chairman, Councillor Brian Mead, intervening. It amounted to bullying, which I will not be party to."
A resident who attended the meeting but did not want to be named told the Post: "Councillors looked on in shock as the meeting was moved on to the next agenda point."
The resident claimed it was "well- known around town" that Mr Moore was referring to Mr Hutchinson, a former town council chairman.
It is believed the bullying claims relate to an accusation by Mr Hutchinson that Mr Moore had posted comments about him on a website.
Mr Moore did not want to elaborate on the matter but said he would still be serving as a Labour member of the town council, despite not being a member of the Labour group. Mr Hutchinson denied the claim of bullying and said he had simply had a discussion with Mr Moore at a Labour group meeting in front of other members.
"This was not bullying in any way, shape or form," he said. "There is nothing in the allegation and I wholeheartedly dispute it.
"If you can't discuss an issue without someone accusing you of bullying, then something is very wrong. With regard to the allegation of talking about residents behind their backs, I would say that this has been totally exaggerated. As a political party, like all the others, of course we do talk about local issues and take the views of residents into consideration – it does not mean we are talking about anyone behind their backs."
Filton Town Council chairman Adam Monk said: "I am really glad Bill is staying on as a councillor. He has done a fantastic job as chairman of the finance committee and I will continue to support him."
Labour group chairman Mr Mead declined to comment.
Comments
by MRANY
Sunday, July 29 2012, 2:51PM
“What no comments from our anonymous friends in the so called Filon Independent Party, those cowardly snipers from the sidelines who apperently switch allegiance to whoever is calling their tune?
How often have we read --- A Filton INDEPENDENT PARTY spokesman says......WHO ARE YOU FIP?
These FIP cowards are quite happy to snipe from the sidelines and attack others who put their necks on the line. Who are you FIP? if you are part of the democratic process then identify yourselves.
Are you the voices of the nation who put up a stooge as an independent candidate last year, to be your puppet on the town council and who thankfully didn't get elected.
Are you the people we see in the public gallery every month of FTC - cheering on and greeting those councillors who happen to be your flavour of the month - who you then savage the minute that don't agree with you.
Are you legitimate politicians or do you come from left field and attack public servants - do you do so for your own agenda.
When we see you at the next FTC meeting will you identify yourselves and who you are supporting this month? We WILL be watching.”
by Filtonion
Wednesday, July 18 2012, 10:32AM
“MANANY,
1.Interrupting the chair of finance at a public meeting from the gallery to try and stop charges for boules and cycle club being introduced when all other sports for Filton leisure centre are chargeable.
2.Pushing a fieldworks project without proper consultation and storming from a council meeting failing to vote on a critical subject for Filton.
3.Guilty of breaching the code of conduct twice. No Labour party action.
4.Writing condescending remarks about residents who attend council meetings in the Filton voice magazine and then blaming the editor
5.Calling subjects "boring" at council meetings when asked a question by a resident about a bus shelter for an elderly residents home
6. Swearing at an elderly resident at a safer filton meeting (witnessed by another councillor) then phoning up to apologise as ordered by Labour's Phil Gaskin...
Wake up and smell the coffee beans...”
by MANANY
Friday, July 06 2012, 4:54PM
“S Glos Labour Filton councillors Adam Monk and Ian Scott were Filton Labour Branch Chairman and secretary until February this year, until they were replaced by Cllrs Hutchinson and Mead - who are now being attacked - coincidence?
What did Cllrs Monk and Scott do to defend Cllr Moore?
And let's remember in previous years we saw in FTC meetings Cllr Monk and his cronies repeatedly for years attack poor Cllr Hutchinson and his wife and colleagues, and in the press too. Cllr Hutchinson remained loyal to his parties (lab and coop).
I understand complaints were made through the labour party about poor Cllr Hutchinson, will Cllrs Scott and Monk like to confirm that?”
by Adair
Monday, June 18 2012, 3:39AM
“And I am not wrong! LOL”
by ceembee
Sunday, June 17 2012, 7:45PM
“@Adair - still posting in the wee, small hours I see but at least this post is not hugely offensive like the one (now taken down) that you posted on Saturday presumably under the influence of something or other. But you probably don't remember what you wrote.....”
by Adair
Sunday, June 17 2012, 3:57AM
“lol”
by torysarecool
Friday, June 15 2012, 11:52AM
“Politics is absolutely packed with bullies but then really it's what politics is all about - doing whatever you can get away with to get your own way. Those with the strongest heads get the furthest. They get help from their friends of course and whilst some may find this unfair, it's all part of the game.
It's not helped of course that councillors are generally very hungry for attention.”
by BobMoone
Friday, June 15 2012, 10:04AM
“Labours time to act. How can this be allowed to go unchecked and what does Andy Perkins who claims to lead SouthGlos Labour think of this terrible news? Come on Mr Perkins, enough of the sound bytes about how in touch with people you are lets see you speak out and order an investigation against one of your own.
Bill Moore is thought of extremely highly in Filton, he campaigned for a postcode review and is working hard to turn round the financial mess of Filton council wasting money hand over fist.
Clearly because the wasteful spending on boules and speedway has stepped on the toes of the boules and speedway fanatical councillor that is Hutchinson and cronies, he has been lambasted and picked on behind closed doors.
Never have I read such a bully boy tactic. As for the chair who it seems sat back and watched this take place, he should receive an instant vote of no confidence.
Chair of council Adam Monks should issue a proper statement rather than again say absolutely nothing about this councillors treatment of a colleague. Remember Mr Monks how it felt when it was you who was yourself who was on the end of Councillor Hutchinsons rants and you took him to court over it! How that must have felt when it cost £27,000 in legal fees and he remained in office. Time to speak up we cant hear you....”
by lolly60
Friday, June 15 2012, 9:43AM
“This man Hutchinson is a disgrace he needs to be sacked right away”
by Filtonion
Friday, June 15 2012, 8:57AM
“1.Smirking and laughing at residents/Councillors at meetings at being corrected by Conservative group for the behaviour.
2.Interrupting the chair of finance at a public meeting from the gallery to try and stop charges for your boules and cycle club being introduced when all other sports for Filton leisure centre are chargeable.
3.Pushing a fieldworks project without proper consultation and storming from a council meeting failing to vote on a critical subject for Filton.
4.Swearing at a resident at a safer stronger filton meeting and force to make an apology
5.Guilty of breaching the code of conduct twice
6.Writing condascending remarks about residents who attend council meetings in the Filton voice magazine
7.Calling subjects "boring" at council meetings when asked a question by a resident
Now we have this latest situation.
Would you vote for someone with the above track record, because I'm pretty sure the Labour party in Filton are finished if this is allowed to continue.
It is not acceptable that the chair of Filton Labour party declines to comment.
I urge the other Labour members of branch to stand up and do whats right and speak up on this disgraceful treatment of one of the finest councillors this Town has known for decades and one with intelligence beyond pub quizzes!”