A newly-elected Tory MP must “lead by example” and take immediate action after her press secretary was found to be a bully by a standards board, it is claimed.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan, who represents Berwick upon Tweed, said she is reviewing the findings of a Northumberland County Council report after her press secretary, Georgina Hill, was ruled to have bullied the clerk of Berwick Town Council - an authority on which she sits as a councillor.
The MP defended Coun Hill as an “important and reliable” part of her office team, who is “capable”, “professional” and said that she has “never had any cause to be anxious”.
But Labour MPs say it is “absolutely imperative” that Ms Trevelyan intervenes.
Pat Glass, who represents North West Durham and is a former advisor to the Government on education, said: “It is not just Anne-Marie but any employer, whoever they are - if you have someone bullying, you absolutely must act.
“You are leaving other employees open to bullying, and workplace bullying is massively damaging, and you are leaving yourself open to legal action.
“When you get situations like this, you have to intervene because it is about people’s mental health and you can’t allow someone to behave in a way where another person’s health may suffer.
“Anne-Marie must lead by example. When I have worked at schools in the past, if someone was found to be bullying a person, they would absolutely be sacked.
“It is absolutely imperative that an employer acts.”
Ronnie Campbell, who represents Blyth Valley, was more conciliatory.
He said any decision on Coun Hill’s future employment should rest with Ms Trevelyan, but added: “It looks like this woman has gone over the top. A big apology is needed to the people involved.”
After a two-day hearing, the standards committee ruled Coun Hill brought the authority into disrepute by comparing the council to North Korea and referring to her colleagues as “rogue and manipulated” in a Facebook post. It came after complaints from Coun Gavin Jones and clerk Sue Finch, who have both resigned from the council.
The standards board found Coun Hill breached four clauses in the authority’s code of conduct, though other allegations against her were not proved.
The board also found Coun Hill failed to treat the clerk with respect during Facebook posts on May 29 and June 18 as well as in comments made to a national newspaper in 2014.
Papers say the “pattern of public criticism” amounted to bullying and harassment and an attack on the clerk’s integrity without foundation.
The allegations came amid various rows amongst councillors over the Portas Pilot cash, awarded to the Berwick Town Team.
Ms Trevelyan said: “I will be reviewing the report and findings of the standards hearing to get a full understanding of why the panel ruled against Ms Hill and rejected the arguments submitted in her defence which included that she was acting as a whistleblower. I understand that the vote on the bullying charge was very tight.
If I was to conclude that Ms Hill would benefit from training in any personal development areas then I would provide that for her.
I have never had any cause to be anxious over her working for me which has always been conducted in a capable, professional and timely manner. She has always been an important and reliable part of my team who is passionate about representing and working for her community.”
