Bolsover District Council launches investigation into claims leader made a ‘homophobic slur’

The Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Bolsover, Mark Fletcher – who became Bolsover’s MP in 2019 after he defeated Labour MP and Bolsover stalwart Dennis Skinner – has complained to the General Secretary of the Labour Party and to the Bolsover District Council’s Monitoring Officer that Cllr Fritchley has allegedly breached the Code of Conduct.

Jim Fieldsend, the council’s monitoring officer, said: “I have today (June 24) received a complaint from Mark Fletcher MP concerning homophobic comments alleged to be made about him by Cllr Steve Fritchley, Leader of Bolsover District Council.

“This complaint will be processed in accordance with the council’s procedure for dealing with complaints against councillors to determine whether there has been a breach of the code of conduct.

“I will ensure that a thorough independent investigation is undertaken to determine whether there has been a breach of the code of conduct.”

Mr Fletcher stated, in a Facebook post, that a Bolsover resident contacted him last week after a recent meeting with Cllr Fritchley about a council matter in which Cllr Fritchley is alleged to have repeatedly used a ‘homophobic slur’ referring to Mr Fletcher.

The Conservative Bolsover candidate also said in his Facebook statement that Cllr Fritchley had also allegedly stated during the same meeting, ‘that’s what we call him here’.

Mr Fletcher said: “It is with a heavy heart that I share the attached statement following a recent incident involving the Leader of Bolsover District Council.

“After a resident came forward to allege that a homophobic slur had been used against me during a meeting, I felt compelled to take action and have submitted a formal complaint.”

Mr Fletcher has stated that the resident who attended the meeting in question has provided written testimony regarding the meeting and the allegations which have been shared with Bolsover District Council’s Monitoring Officer and The Labour Party.

The Conservative Bolsover candidate has accused Cllr Fritchley of breaching the district council’s Code of Conduct, Labour’s Leadership Code of Conduct and Labour’s Members’ Pledge.

Mr Fletcher has also asked the council’s monitoring officer and The Labour Party to investigate whether any other individuals have allegedly been involved in – or were aware of – what he referred to as this alleged ‘shameful practice’.

He added: “My sexuality is neither a secret nor is it relevant to my job. This is not the 1950s.

“I am incredibly frustrated that I am having to take time out of knocking on doors to have to deal with this issue. But I will not accept bullying. I will not accept homophobia or intolerance.”

Labour-controlled Bolsover District Council’s Leader, Cllr Fritchley, who Mr Fletcher says is also the Secretary of the Bolsover Labour Party, has been ‘administratively suspended’ by The Labour Party in relation to the complaint.

A spokesperson for The Labour Party said: “On background, to be reported as it is ‘understood’ that, we can confirm Mr Fritchley has been administratively suspended by The Labour Party pending an investigation.”

Cllr Fritchley has been asked for a comment but as of yet has not replied to a request for a statement.

The council’s Chief Executive Officer Karen Hanson said: “The council takes all complaints about councillor conduct very seriously and there will be a thorough and robust independent investigation.”