Richmondshire DC's ongoing alleged bullying saga took another turn this week, when the council leader tried to block a debate on it. Leader, John Blackie, one of a group of five councillors accused of bullying a senior manager, tried to stop a motion about the situation being discussed at full council on Tuesday evening. Monitoring officer, Margaret Barry, is reportedly taking legal advice as part of the ongoing allegations. Cllr Blackie said he was concerned that the debate could jeopardise the council's position in any legal action, but he was advised it had to go ahead. ‘I welcome the opportunity to clarify things,' he said. ‘Some of the figures being quoted are completely cloud nine figures.' An external report by Richard Penn in May accused the councillors of bullying and harassment, but a Standards Board investigation cleared them.
