Cllr Peter Jones Clays Night Club Oakham

Case Summary - Rutland County Council


Case no. SBE-08098-DT589

Member(s): Councillor Peter Jones

Date received: 17 Nov 2010

Date completed: 02 Mar 2010



Allegation:

Failed to treat others with respect and brought their authority into disrepute.



Standards Board outcome:

The ethical standards officer found that the member did not breach the Code of Conduct



Case Summary

The complainant, the owner of a nightclub, alleged that Councillor Peter Jones failed to treat him with respect during an altercation outside his club on an unspecified date in late August or early September 2009. The complainant also alleged that, during the altercation, Councillor Jones identified himself as a councillor and made comments that he would have the club closed down.



Councillor Jones stated that without knowing the specific date when the incident was supposed to have happened, it was difficult for him to recall his actions. Although he remembered an incident taking place outside the club, he did not recall being involved in an altercation or mentioning his position as a councillor. He strongly denied threatening to have the club closed down.



The ethical standards officer considered that whatever Councillor Jones’s actions were , there was no evidence that he was conducting the business of the council. The ethical standards officer also considered whether Councillor Jones had been acting, claiming to act or giving the impression that he was acting as a representative of the authority. The ethical standards officer took into account the testimony of the member of staff who was involved in the alleged altercation with Councillor Jones. The member of staff did not recall any altercation or Councillor Jones mention his position as a councillor. The staff member was unaware that Councillor Jones was a councillor at the end of their conversation.



Given the disputes of evidence and the lack of witnesses to obtain testimony from, the ethical standards officer was not satisfied that Councillor Jones was acting, claiming to act or giving the impression that he was acting as a representative of the council.



The ethical standards officer therefore concluded that Councillor Jones did not fail to comply with the Code of Conduct of Rutland County Council.

Relevant paragraphs of the Code of Conduct

The allegations in this case relate to paragraphs 2, 3(1) and 5 of the Code of Conduct


I wish to make it very clear Cllr  Peter Jones told me at a later date he would see the club close when its licence was up  for review and I would be very happy to give a statement to this effect to the owner Mr Clay. This is how the Old Torry Bullies conduct themselves. Mr Jones is a cabinet member and a member of the licensing committee.