Cllr Dawn Barnett was virtually cleared of any wrong-doing by the Standards Board Hearing today. Technically-speaking, she was found to have breached the local Code of Conduct in that she had brought her “office (as a councillor) into disrepute.” But the Panel unanimously decided to impose no sanction whatsoever.

There had been press reports about Councillor Barnett, who represents Hangleton and Knoll for the Conservatives, handing directions travellers in her ward to go open spaces in wards with Green councillors. Councillor Phelim MacCafferty from Green Party who represents Brunswick Ward complained . He did not attend.

There is a certain irony in this palaver. Dawn was being accused indirectly of disregarding the travellers’ cultural heritage and thus contrary to Equality Law. In fact, Dawn has Gypsy/ Romany blood on her father’s side and the last thing she would want to do is “disregard the travellers’ cultural heritage.”

Full details were not available until the Panel agreed that they be disclosed at the meeting. The Chair pointed out that that had been very unusual to have to maintained the exemption to prevent the public know what the complaint was about. All details are now in the council web-site and the decision with reasons will be published in a local newspaper soon.

Over 25 members of the public attended, including the local MP and several constituents in Dawn Barnett’s ward. There were occasional bursts of applause when her record as a ward councillor were mentioned, quickly and politely quelled by the Chair.

The facts were mainly not in dispute: it was intention and interpretation that became the issue. The Panel asked few questions. In the end, when the judgment was read out, Councillor Dawn Barnett was clearly relieved.