Rutland councillors threatened with injunction switch to UKIP, Tim Parker Political Reporter, BBC Leicester

Rutland councillors threatened with injunction switch to UKIP, Tim Parker Political Reporter, BBC Leicester

Rutland councillors threatened with injunction switch to UKIP

 

Nick Wainwright, Richard Gale and David Richardson were welcomed into the 

UKIP fold by leader Nigel Farage

Tim Parker Political Reporter, BBC Leicester

These three independents have always said they were looking for greater openness and democracy.

But since the beginning of the year, they've been required to make all contact with the council through a single point after it was suggested their correspondence was becoming personal and persistent.

They hope this move will strengthen their efforts to get answers and help improve their relationship with the authority.

UKIP national leader Nigel Farage told me these three councillors will help build a proper structure for UKIP in Rutland and a platform to greater things.

Tim Parker Political Reporter, BBC Leicester, Rutland Anti-Corruption Group, Localism Act

 Tim Parker Political Reporter, BBC Leicester

So Rutland Anti-Corruption Group councillors face possible court action for what they claim is simply doing their job - looking for openness and transparency and asking legitimate questions about council business. Rutland County Council suggests the group's correspondence could be seen as becoming personal, persistent and even defamatory. The authority says it's as open as any other council and has nothing to hide.

What's worrying for all parties is the effect of this row on the council's image and ability to do its job.

But of even wider concern, for any councillor who's ever fired off a heat-of-the-moment email, is the fact that specialist solicitors brought in to advise Rutland County Council suggest it could now sue for defamation. Once the preserve of individuals, the Localism Act could now extend that to local government bodies.

If the council does decide to take things that far, it could set a chilling precedent for any councillor who feels that after two or three exchanges with the powers that be, they still aren't getting the answers they're looking for.


I think:

If Rutland County Council do decide to take legal action, it will have serious implications for 
local democracy. with incredible low voter turn out at elections. Many of the councillors already being elected unopposed or co-opted, local governance will be avoided by most people and leave the power  in the hands of the few Who bully and expose people who critises them to the most disgusting conduct.