Newcastle Council investigation into former leader’s bullying complaint

A full investigation has been launched into the allegation of bullying by the former head of the city council.

He appeared only a few weeks after Nick Kemp has left his position on Newcastle City Council in connection with the complaint, which he denies.

Kemp and five others later left the ruling Labor Partydestroying the party majority.

Council officials have confirmed that an external investigator will look into the complaint made by principal Michelle Percy.

An authority representative confirmed that “the investigator will decide how to conduct the investigation in accordance with the council’s complaint handling protocol.”

In a statement released after his resignation as chief in September, Kemp said he was “firmly convinced that there is no basis for an answer in this matter.”

Kemp’s replacement as leader, Karen Kilgour, will face a vote of no confidence, which the Liberal Democrat opposition plans to call at a full council meeting on December 4.

He will also hear a Liberal Democrat proposal for an independent inquiry into the council’s political leadership.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has reported concerns about the culture at the top of the civic center and at Newcastle Labor in recent years.

The council’s chief executive, Pam Smith, refused to deny the existence of a “toxic” atmosphere and bullying in the administration during questioning before the audit committee in 2023.

Labour’s Jane Byrne quit cabinet shortly afterwards and accused officers of “undermining” the council.

Former Labor councilors John-Paul Stevenson, Shumel Rahman and Habib Rahman also cited alleged bullying within the party over the past 18 months.

Kemp has been approached for further comment.