Councillor Caroline Gladwin shares this latest news, in her own words. Image shows Councillor Gladwin being comforted at the Full Council meeting.
Having personally found the council chamber a toxic environment for many years, it is one of the reasons I stopped reporting live from inside the chamber. Ed
Reform UK Councillor Caroline Gladwin has formally reported Independent Socialist Councillor Geoff Brodie to the police following what she describes as “sustained and unprovoked attacks” during two council meetings on 30th September and 1st October.
She is now publicly calling for Councillor Brodie to resign from the council with immediate effect.
Behaviour was “aggressive, bullying, and intended to provoke distress”
Councillor Gladwin says that Councillor Brodie’s behaviour during the Planning Committee and Full Council meetings was aggressive, bullying, and intended to provoke distress. She states that his conduct reduced her to tears, forcing her to leave the chamber on both occasions.
She further claims that similar complaints have been made over the years, particularly by female and independent councillors, but that weak sanctions have allowed the behaviour to continue unchecked.
Accused of wrongdoing
During the Planning Committee meeting, Councillor Brodie accused Councillor Gladwin of wrongdoing over her declaration of interests, despite the Monitoring Officer confirming to him and the meeting that no breach of rules had occurred.
His conduct continued even after he was corrected, leaving Councillor Gladwin distraught and prompting a suspension of the meeting.
Further verbal attacks
At the Full Council meeting the following day, Councillor Brodie launched further verbal attacks against Councillor Gladwin and Independent Councillor Dave Adams, including calling Reform UK “racist” and a “threat to democracy,” and referring to Councillor Adams as a “fascist pig.”
The Chairman of the IW Council, Councillor Ian Dore, attempted to silence him, but Councillor Brodie then labelled Councillor Dore as a racist, leading him to suspend the meeting – the second in two days.
Councillor Gladwin pointed out that Councillor Brodie’s behaviour was responsible for interrupting important council business.
Allegations of similar behaviour
Councillor Gladwin says she has heard accounts from multiple councillors of similar behaviour by Councillor Brodie dating back over a decade, often targeting women and independent councillors.
She believes that if he were a council employee rather than an elected councillor, his conduct would have led to dismissal long ago.
Gladwin: LDR reports ‘wide of the mark’
Councillor Gladwin said that reports of the meeting written up by the Local Democracy Reporter employed by the County Press were wide of the mark.
“These were not ‘disputes’ she said – they were full-blown bullying behaviour against a female councillor.”
Gladwin: The council cannot move forward while this toxic culture persists
Councillor Gladwin added,
“The council cannot move forward while this toxic culture persists.
“There must be real consequences for abusive behaviour. I urge Councillor Brodie to step down and call on others to support this demand for a more civilised and respectful council environment.”
Planning Committee
Extraordinary Meeting of Full Council
