Cllr Lynda Hyde was cleared yesterday (Nov 8th) of any wrong-doing at the Standards Panel. Saltdean Community Association complained that Cllr Hyde had clearly said the Executive Committee were “only in it for themselves” as she left a meeting on May 31st.

Councillor Hyde told the investigating officer that she had been misunderstood amid the noise. In reply to a colleague she had said: “Residents have said to me they are only in it for themselves.”

The Panel decided on balance that the full circumstances in which the words were uttered were such that Cllr Hyde had not breached to Code of Conduct. The remark was not intended or directed at the Executive Committee itself. The Code requires that all councillors “must treat others with respect.”

In an obiter dictum, the Panel did nevertheless felt it necessary to advise Cllr Hyde to be more discreet it the way she speaks in public.