North Tyneside Tories have been accused of “undermining, intimidating and intimidating” a senior council official following a row over the removal of the Union flag and photos of former Tory leaders.
Guido Fawkes reported that Bryn Roberts, head of law and governance at North Tyneside Council, had arranged for the sign to be removed.
In a text message to Conservative group leader Sean Brockbank, Mr Roberts reportedly expressed concern that the display, which also included photos of Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher, was “overtly political”.
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Prosecutor Brockbank condemned the pullout and said it “smacked of censorship.”
Now, in a damning letter, Cullercoats City Councilor Willie Samuel, chairman of the Authority’s Labor Group, called on Councilor Brockbank to issue an apology on behalf of the Conservative North Tyneside Federation.
Councilor Samuel believes that the Conservatives’ actions have brought authority into disrepute.
He wrote: “We believe the actions of the North Tyneside Tories constitute an attack, intimidation and intimidation of a senior officer who cannot respond publicly when you know the allegations are false.”
On Tuesday, chief executive Paul Hanson said “only part of the story” had been told, saying the display was political due to the inclusion of photos of former Tory politicians and that as a building public, council offices in Cobalt Park should be “politically neutral”.
Mr Hanson also stressed that the council was “proud” to display the Union flag on the outside of its building.
Councilor Samuel accused the Tories of wooing publicity at a time when the country was still reeling from the effects of the pandemic and the extended lockdown.
He wrote: “It is a huge shame that when serious decisions have been made regarding the lockdown extensions for a pandemic, which has killed more than 150,000 people, the local Conservative Party is playing such callous and immature games for get national exposure. “
Councilor Brockbank said he did not intend to make any member of council staff feel “under the spotlight”.
He said: “We have not sought to intimidate or intimidate anyone. As Conservatives, we deplore any attack on anyone trying to perform their official duties.
“On a personal level, I love Bryn. He didn’t make the right decision in this case, but there is no doubt about his professionalism or his commitment to North Tyneside.”
Prosecutor Brockbank also accused Labor of “insignificant hypocrisy”.
He added: “It is outright hypocrisy to accuse us of relying on the press to get our point across when it comes down to it. [Coun Samuel] did the same by giving you the view of his letter.
“We would invite them [Labour] put banners in their room in an expression of unity.
“It’s the Platinum Jubilee this year, so we should be celebrating Britain. Labor is unwilling to back us, it seems.
“A key issue after Brexit is who we are as a nation. If you are not ready to engage in a debate on this subject, what good is the policy? “