THE former leader of Devon County Council who is at the centre of sexual harassment and abuse allegations has been suspended from the Liberal Democrats.

Brian Greenslade, 69, was found guilty of serious breaches of Devon County Council’s code of conduct following an investigation by the cross-party standards committee.

The councillor, who represents the Barnstaple North ward, has now been suspended from membership of the Liberal Democrats and membership of the Liberal Democrat Group on the council.

In a statement, Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Alan Connett said: ‘Following the censure of Cllr Greenslade by the standards committee of Devon County Council, he was suspended from membership of the Liberal Democrats on Friday and membership of the Liberal Democrat Group on the council.

‘With immediate effect, Cllr Greenslade was removed from Liberal Democrat places on council committees and the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, to which he was appointed through the council.

“He now sits as an independent councillor.’

Cllr Greenslade has been a county councillor since 1985 and for 16 years was the leader of the council.

Over the weekend, Cllr Greenslade, released a statement through his solicitor indicating that he plans to challenge the council’s decision to censure him.

He claims he was not given a fair hearing ‘as required by the Human Rights Act and the Council’s own constitution’.

Issued through his solicitor, Jon Dunkley at Toller Beattie, the statement said: ‘An anonymous allegation triggered an investigation into allegations that Councillor Greenslade harassed staff. Many of the allegations relate to his work with the Council 10 to 15 years ago. No formal allegations were made at the times of the alleged incidents.

‘At the Devon County Council Standards Board meeting on Monday 2 July the allegations against Councillor Greenslade were considered. He was barred from attending the meeting and was effectively prevented from putting forward his response to the allegations by the committee.

‘Indeed the Standards Board arranged the meeting for a time when they knew that Councillor Greenslade was out of the country. The Standards Board made its decision despite representations from his solicitors that fairness required his attendance and that there was no detriment to the Council to delay the meeting to a later date when Councillor Greenslade was able to attend.

‘His legal team are advising him on his challenge to the decision of the Standards Board in that he was not given a fair hearing as required by the Human Rights Act and the Council’s own constitution including claims for judicial review and damages. In view of potential legal challenge on his behalf his solicitors have asked him to make no further comment at this time.’

Announcing the decision on Thursday at Devon County Hall, Chair of the Standards Committee, Councillor Caroline Chugg, said: ‘This is not a decision that we came to lightly but the weight of evidence was such that we could reach no other conclusion than to find Councillor Greenslade in clear breach of our code of conduct.

‘On receiving a serious complaint of sexual harassment and abuse involving a number of female employees over several years, we ordered an independent investigation. I am sad to say that this investigation revealed a clear pattern of behaviour by Councillor Greenslade that can only be described as highly inappropriate and likely to cause offence and distress.

‘As a senior politician this was a clear abuse of his position with conduct that falls far short of that expected of those in public office. All of us in public life have an absolute and unshakeable duty to ensure our staff can go about their important work for the people of Devon free from harassment and abuse.’

Chief Executive Phil Norrey added: ‘As a council we take our duty to provide a safe workplace free from all forms of harassment very seriously and have always promoted and championed the highest standards of personal conduct both from our staff and elected members.

‘All of us in public life have an absolute and unshakeable duty to ensure our staff can go about their important work for the people of Devon free from harassment and abuse.’

Leaders of all four political groups at Devon County Council have issued a joint statement saying that they will not tolerate any actions that leave staff feeling threatened, fearful or intimidated.