It comes after another councillor was unusually axed from a committee role
A Coventry Labour councillor is being investigated by the party for questioning the leadership’s decision to axe a colleague from the planning committee.
Cllr John McNicholas was removed days after he was the only Labour member to vote against a council-backed indoor bowls club in Coundon on December 19.
When fellow Labour councillor Rachel Lancaster quizzed the council leader on the decision the next day, a day after she was told the party whip is investigating her conduct.
But she has branded the inquiry as “an overreaction”, telling the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “I did not know anything about the planning committee when I asked why John had been removed. I had no idea as I had been at a family funeral.
“I woke up the next morning and thought why on earth would you remove someone like that from the planning committee – he has been on it for a number of years and has a wealth of experience and had been removed.
“I was actually worried there was something wrong with John and something had happened.
“It has to undergo a process and my understanding is there is a complaint against me and I am assuming it is about this.
“I do not think asking a question about a change is reason enough to withdraw the whip.
“Once it is investigated I think it will be put to bed.”
Leader Cllr George Duggins said the investigation was an “internal issue” but insisted the whip has not been withdrawn, although could not comment on whether it would be.
Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 3:28 pm