Dacorum Borough Council (DBC) was thrown into complete disarray last night after eight Liberal Democrat councillors resigned from the party over what they said was a failure to deal properly with allegations of bullying and sexual harassment.
At the full council meeting last night (Wednesday, September 25), Boxmoor Ward councillor Claire Hobson announced that she was leaving the Lib Dems to sit as an independent. She was joined by fellow councillors Sammy Barry-Mears (Highfield), Michela Capozzi (Tring East), Toni Cox (Apsley and Corner Hall), Lara Pringle (Northchurch), Victoria Santamaria (Hemel Hempstead Town), Carole Weston (Tring Central) and Sheron Wilkie (Tring Central).
This leaves the ruling party with just 18 seats, only one more than the Conservative opposition. With two by-elections set to take place in November, this political imbalance could shift even further. Cllrs Capozzi and Wilkie were also portfolio holders, meaning a reshuffle must take place.
The announcement prompted gasps and shock across the council chamber.
Shortly after this development, a 10-minute recess was called, which quickly became a 20-minute break. The meeting was finally reconvened, only to be adjourned.
Following the meeting, Hemel News was sent a press release from the eight councillors who had resigned, making it clear their decision was related to allegations against former DBC leader, councillor Ron Tindall, who was suspended from the Lib Dems in July pending an investigation.
It alleges: “We have resigned due to a toxic culture of sexism and bullying which resulted in the findings of an independent report into sexual harassment and bullying of two women councillors being overturned by a committee of councillors, which included allies of Ron Tindall.
“Current leader Adrian England knew that women officers had reported concerns about cllr Tindall’s behaviour in June 2023, alleging sexually inappropriate comments made to council staff, only a month after the Liberal Democrats took control on May 4, 2023.
“As deputy leader, he was informed in November 2023 that this behaviour had extended to the sexual harassment and bullying of women councillors, but took no safeguarding action, despite knowing that cllr Tindall was under formal investigation. He went on to take over cllr Tindall’s position as leader of the council and then appointed cllr Tindall to the cabinet, making him responsible for HR, despite women colleagues raising concerns about safeguarding.
“The women are standing down from the Liberal Democrat group to sit as independents because they cannot be associated with the Liberal Democrat group which has enabled toxic behaviour towards women. It is clear that the processes for upholding the rights of women under the Equality Act 2010 in local government are not fit for purpose and need to be reviewed.”
Speaking to Hemel News after the meeting, Leader of DBC councillor Adrian England said he would be making no comments at this time. He did state that there was a different perspective to the events, and that there are comments to back it up.
DBC opposition leader and Conservative group leader, councillor Andrew Williams, also spoke to Hemel News and said: “Certainly what has unfolded this evening has come as a surprise. I have been aware that there have been concerns in the Lib Dem group and some issues that were reported with the former leader. But I certainly wasn’t aware that this discontent was as deep as this.
“It really surprises that an administration that has only been in place for 17 months has fallen apart so quickly.
“I’ve been a councillor here for 37 years, and for most of time this council has had clear political control. We’re not in that territory now. The corporate plan has not been approved this evening, and we’ve got a very challenging Local Plan. This is so important for the future of Dacorum, and now we’re not sure we’re even going to be able to get it through.”
Councillor Angela Mitchell, Leader of the Labour group on DBC, said: “It is deeply concerning to hear that eight members of the Lib Dems have left the group due to concerns about the way that allegations of bullying and sexual harassment were handled.
“The council is at a critical point and it is vital that we get on with the work that we were elected to do.”
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