Mayor must investigate councillor abuse allegation

The Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance says the reports of Councillor Christine Fletcher being verbally abused by another elected member during a recent Council meeting justify mayoral intervention.

Ratepayers' Alliance spokesman Josh Van Veen said:

"Mayor Wayne Brown must get to the bottom of this very serious allegation."

"The elected member who abused Councillor Fletcher should be held accountable and censured by the Governing Body. Such serious allegations cannot be allowed to fester."

"Such conduct has a chilling effect on political debate and local democracy. Councillors should be free to disagree and vote according to their conscience without having to tolerate abuse from their colleagues."

"The Mayor has a responsibility to ensure Councillor Fletcher's claims are investigated thoroughly and, if substantiated, appropriate action taken."

"If it is true an elected official is calling a colleague a 'fat...', it calls into question their fitness to remain in the job."