COUNTY HALL: Claims that the leader of the Liberal Democrats on East Riding Council bullied colleagues have been upheld by an internal party complaints panel.
At a hearing held last month, it was alleged Cllr Denis Healy used his position to bully, intimidate and undermine some Lib Dem councillors, staff and party volunteers.
It was also claimed he used his authority to “pressure and criticise” people and publicly escalate minor disputes which led to a breakdown in working relations within the main opposition group at County Hall.
The three-strong panel ruled his actions had brought the party into disrepute, concluding: “He seems to have no insight into the problems his behaviour has caused and is continuing to cause.”
However Cllr Healy has hit back, telling The Hull Stack: “I strongly dispute the panel’s conclusions and have lodged a detailed appeal.”
In upholding complaints submitted by at least two party members, the panel concluded:
“The respondent did bully other members of the party, fellow officers on the executive and the paid employee.
“He showed no insight into the damage his behaviour was causing to individuals or the functioning of the team.
“He refused to engage in an independent mediation process but blamed the complainants for not wanting to join one for which he had selected the mediator and determined his desired outcome.
“He decided to ignore the clear ruling on confidentiality by sharing the details of the complaints with his councillor groups so that they could write letters of support.”
The panel heard claims that anyone who questioned Cllr Healy’s conduct were accused of being disloyal.
The panel also upheld a complaint that he authorised the external design and printing of a campaign leaflet without the required prior approval of the group executive.
The panel’s findings report said that giving evidence to hearing, Cllr Healy insisted his behaviour was not bullying but instead showed “robust leadership”.
“He has changed his style is now much more ‘collegiate’,” it added.
“There is no doubt the respondent has given many years of his life to serving the party as leader of the council (group) and in other roles. However, he seems to be unaware of the problems his management and leadership styles have clearly caused.”
Asked by The Hull Stack to respond to the panel’s findings, Cllr Healy said: “I am surprised to learn that you have obtained a copy of the complaints panel decision, as it relates to what was intended to be a confidential internal party process
“The matter is not concluded. I have formally appealed the panel’s decision and that appeal is currently under consideration.
”I strongly dispute the panel’s conclusions and have lodged a detailed appeal.
“My appeal sets out a number of concerns, including that the decision contains material factual inaccuracies, fails to engage properly with significant evidence presented in my defence and does not adequately explain how the findings were reached.
”Among other matters, I contend that several findings are unsupported by evidence before the panel and that relevant contradictory evidence is was not properly addressed.”
The panel decided against suspending or expelling Cllr Healy “in the light of his continuing service”.
Instead, it said he should undertake training “in the hope that he can learn to use a more appropriate range of leadership styles and management skills”. It also agreed to impose a caution.
However, it’s believed the proposed sanctions have been put on hold pending the outcome of Cllr Healy’s appeal.
About The Hull Stack
This article was originally reported by veteran Hull journalist Angus Young.
Angus covers politics, public life and the stories shaping Hull and the East Riding through The Hull Stack, his independent, reader-supported publication.
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