A COUNCIL leader has called for a probed councillor to be suspended with immediate effect following a “wholly inappropriate and unacceptable personal attack” on a council officer.

The leader of the Conservative-run Royal Borough Andrew Johnson (Hurley & Walthams) has slammed Cllr John Baldwin’s (Lib Dem: Belmont) reported “erratic behaviour” and has urged the Liberal Democrats to suspend him pending the conclusion of those investigations.

An investigation into the behaviour of Cllr Baldwin is underway by the Lib Dems and the council following an “outburst” directed at a council officer at a virtual meeting last week, it is understood.

He also had his positions on council committees removed for the time being. However, he will still sit at full council.

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Liberal Democrat leader Simon Werner (Pinkneys Green) said Cllr Baldwin’s general wellbeing has been affected following a recent change in his coronary prescriptions and will be taking time to regain his equilibrium.

In a statement, Cllr Johnson said: “Whilst I do acknowledge that Cllr Baldwin may have had medical issues of late, this does not account for ongoing issues in relation to his behaviour.

“Over the years there has either been a failure by the Liberal Democrats to discipline Cllr Baldwin or attempt to offer him the support required.

“A significant number of fellow councillors have medical conditions, none of whom have acted in such a sustained and aggressive way over such a long period of time. On a personal level, I feel sorry for Cllr Baldwin with his medical issue, but it should never be used as an excuse for bad behaviour.”

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Reacting to the council leader’s statement, Cllr Werner said it was “sad” to see Cllr Johnson “playing party politics” and is “not the sort of leadership this council needs”.

He said: “There is a process that the party and the council lays down for dealing with these issues – a process that we are following.

“Cllr Johnson had every opportunity to raise code of conducts against Cllr Baldwin if he felt that there were issues in the past, clearly as John has never been found in breach of the code of conduct, Cllr Johnson either hasn’t done so, or Cllr Baldwin has been found innocent.”

He also said Cllr Johnson never suspended Cllr Ross McWilliams (Con: Cox Green) from the Conservatives or his cabinet when he was found in breach of the code of conduct.

Cllr Baldwin did not wish to comment.