Padiham mayor admits making racist remark (From Burnley and Pendle Citizen)

Padiham mayor admits making racist remark

9:00am Tuesday 27th September 2011 in News By Tyrone Marshall, Reporter

CENSURED The Mayor of Padiham, Coun Bob Clark, has been punished for a racist remark he made during a phone conversation

THE mayor of Padiham has been ordered to undergo ethnicity training after admitting making a racist comment to a call centre worker.

Coun Bob Clark referred to a member of staff at Calico Housing as a 'bloody P...' during a conversation about a resident of the town who had been locked out of his home after losing his keys.

A standards committee hearing at Burnley Town Hall yesterday found that Coun Clark had breached the councillors Code of Conduct for failing to treat others with respect and had brought Padiham Town Council into disrepute.

Coun Clark could have faced a six-month suspension but the committee decided his previous good character and work for the town did not merit that punishment.

If he had been suspended it could have opened the door for deputy mayor BNP councillor John Cave taking over the role.

The committee, made up of independent chair Andrew Neville, parish representative Gill Smith and borough councillor Julie Cooper, ordered Coun Clark to write a letter of apology, which he had already done, and to undertake ethnicity and diversity training.

The complaint against Coun Clark followed a telephone conversation with Calico worker Hazif Rehman on March 10 this year.

Coun Clark, who was deputy mayor at the time, said he was passed the phone by another resident while on council duty in the town to try to make some headway.

David Talbot, investigating officer for the complaint, said: “Throughout the telephone call, Coun Clark’s tone is forthright and, in particular, he refers to being a councillor five times and deputy mayor of Padiham on three occasions.

“At the end of the telephone call Coun Clark is heard to say, directed to a person in his vicinity rather than to Mr Rehman himself, 'bloody P...' on the phone.

“Mr Rehman said that he was shocked and confused by the telephone call from Coun Clark and that it had a massive impact on him. He was left shaking and for the rest of the day he couldn’t answer or take another call.

“Coun Clark also said that he had been very much affected by the consequences of his telephone call, including not being able to sleep.”

The offensive remark comes at the very end of the conversation, and Coun Clark said it was a response to somebody stood next to him.

Coun Clark said: “I am thoroughly ashamed of it and have tried my best to rectify the situation.”

His solicitor Philip Turner said: “Coun Clark did not intend to offend Mr Rehman but has to bear the consequences of that comment.

“When he received notification of the complaint he immediately set pen to paper and had an apology posted within an hour.

“Over the years Coun Clark has given selflessly of his time and money for Padiham.”

Coun Clark’s letter of apology to Mr Rehman was rejected by the complainant because he thought Coun Clark was trying to make excuses for his behaviour.

But the standards committee, having read the letter, deemed it sufficient for a written apology.

Mr Neville, chair of the committee, said: “These comments fall significantly below the standards expected by a councillor.

“But it is accepted that Coun Clark has given great service to the people of Padiham for many years.

“Therefore it is unfortunate that his reputation has been tarnished by these comments.”

Coun Jean Cunningham, who was mayor of Padiham at the time of the incident, said: “I am very pleased with the outcome, Bob has done a lot for Padiham, more than what can be written on one piece of paper.

“It is over and done with and it is a case of moving on and getting back to council business.”

Coun Shah Hussain, who represents Daneshouse and Stoneyholme for Burnley Borough Council, said: "It was a naive thing to do but unfortunately at times people say things they then don’t mean afterwards.

“I understand the position on the receiving end though, he is quite rightly upset.

“Coun Clark has been man enough to say 'yes I did say this' and to apologise and we should accept his apology and his willingness to go on extra training.”