Lib Dem not-so-good-news round-up #2

Yes, it’s time for another ‘take out the trash’ posting…

Councillor banned over misconduct (BBC)

A hearing has found the former deputy council leader of Somerset County Council guilty of two counts of breaching codes of conduct. The two-year investigation looked into dozens of complaints about the behaviour of Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Buchanan. …

Speaking after the tribunal Mr Buchanan said he was “very disappointed” at the overall adjudication panel’s findings. He said: “I’m pleased my case that I clearly didn’t seek to intimidate Mr Jones was upheld. [But] I’m disappointed the rest of the charges weren’t dropped and the panel found, in their view, my making a formal complaint about the chief executive constituted an attempt to cause him a disservice or some harm.”

The row had split the council chamber. Mr Buchanan had been thrown out of the Liberal Democrat group, although some members had backed him saying the disciplinary process was “excessive”. Former Liberal Democrat councillor Jim Mochnacz it should not have come to such a conclusion. He said: “It should have been mediated at a much lower level. It says something about one, if not two of the characters.”

Councillor apologises for misleading voters (Bognor Regis Observer)

A Bersted councillor has been forced to apologise for misleading voters in a recent election campaign. Lib Dem Simon McDougall also has to pay out probably more than £1,000 to fund a public act of contrition for his error. The money will fund advertisements in newspapers in the district in which his mistake about the battle against development off Chalcraft Lane will be detailed. …

“I apologise unreservedly to the council and the Conservative group for making a statement that was incorrect,” he said. “I take full responsibility for the statement I made and I do not expect the taxpayer to foot the bill in any way for my actions. I realise there were legal implications for the council because of the statement which I made and I am quite happy to correct it.”