Suspended Redcar councillor describes situation as ‘farce’

Liberal Democrat councillor Dr Tristan Learoyd was suspended for three months by the Liberal Democrat group on Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council in May after concerns were raised about his alleged conduct at meetings and comments he made online.

Group leader and councillor Ian Hart said in an email seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that the decision was “regrettable and not taken lightly” and that all attempts to engage with Councillor Learoyd had been exhausted as he had undermined the Liberal Democrats’ position at a local level.

Councillor Learoyd, who represents the St Germain ward in Marske, said the group had no reason to suspend him and the allegations against him were unfounded and no evidence had been provided to support them.

He also pointed out that no councillor from any party had ever made a complaint against him for failing to comply with the code of conduct. His Liberal Democrat colleague Chris Jones also called for Councillor Learoyd’s suspension to be lifted, saying there was no “valid justification”.

He said: “I fully support Tristan.”

Councillor Learoyd said his suspension prevented him from campaigning for Councillor Jones, who was the party’s candidate for Redcar in the general election. Councillor Jones subsequently lost his deposit and received fewer votes than Reform UK candidate John Davies.

Councillor Learoyd claims Liberal Democrat councillor Kendra Evans spoke to the council’s monitoring officer Steve Newton about video posts on Councillor Learoyd’s Facebook page and asked Councillor Evans for advice on whether there were grounds for a complaint against her.

Prior to publication, the LDRS presented these allegations to Councilwoman Evans, who said she was unable to comment.

Cllr Learoyd claims: “It turns out that a councillor took a dislike to me and issued an ultimatum to the Liberal Democrat group. That councillor was later caught red-handed when it came to (potential) proceedings against me for breaching the Code of Conduct.

“It is in no one’s interest to continue this farce.”

Cllr Learoyd, former chairman of the planning committee, said he had offered the group the opportunity to continue by reinstating him through mediation to resolve any issues. He said he agreed with the Liberal Democrat manifesto, which was why he was a member of the party, and had no plans to resign.

Cllr Learoyd added: “The way forward is to end the internal squabbles and personal rivalries, to unite and improve the lives of citizens through positive action. The Liberal Democrats have shown across the country what a united, combative party can achieve.

“It’s time we did the same here. Let’s get on with the important work of making the area a better place to live.”

Councillor Hart said the case involving Councillor Learoyd was still ongoing and referred to an earlier statement from the group.

It said the decision to suspend Councillor Learoyd for a period of time was to “erase a number of long-standing issues” and was an “internal matter that cannot be discussed in public”.