Labour denies ‘culture of bullying’ accusations
BURY LEADERS REJECT CLAIMS FROM COUNCILLOR AFTER SHE RESIGNS FROM PARTY
BURY’S Labour Group has denied ‘a culture of bullying’ after a senior female councillor quit.
Annette McKay, 64, resigned from the party alleging she and seven other women councillors were ‘frozen out’ by the leadership. She will now sit as an independent.
Coun McKay and seven other women councillors made a formal complaint to the party which was investigated by a unit based at the national party headquarters. A spokesman said the investigation found no grounds to take any action.
Andrea Simpson, deputy leader of Bury Labour Group, said: “As the most senior woman in Bury Labour Group I reject entirely the accusation of a culture of bullying directed towards women.
“Bury Labour Group is one of the few that is made up of a majority of women, with them holding some of the most senior roles in the council.”
The council currently has a woman deputy leader and several women in the cabinet.
Coun McKay announced her resignation on twitter, posting: “Today I resigned from the Labour party and as a Labour councillor. I will remain as an independent. I will no longer be silent by intolerable behaviour and will tell my truth.”
A formal collective complaint was made by Coun McKay and the seven women councillors in December last year. It was eventually assessed by national party HQ.
The letter to the regional office from the women says ‘in general’ they regard the treatment of women ‘as demeaning and unacceptable.’
Coun McKay had been given a post as deputy cabinet member for communities and safer neighbourhoods after being elected two years ago to represent Moorside ward. She was also made an assistant Labour Group whip.
In her resignation letter to the council, Coun McKay said: “My complaint has been dismissed by the Labour Party but this no longer concerns me. Large numbers of women are leaving the party nationally because they feel voiceless and that they are not listened to.”
Last month Coun McKay, whose sister vanished from a mother and baby home, spoke out to demand answers from the Irish government. A Labour Group spokesman said: “Any allegations made have been thoroughly investigated by the national Labour Party and have been dismissed as being without foundation.
“As Coun McKay has acknowledged in her own resignation letter she herself was the subject of complaints about her behaviour by former colleagues, and specifically concerns were raised about her comments about the transgender community.”
Commenting on the allegations, the leader of the ruling Labour Group at Bury council, Rishi Shori, said: “I go out of my way to encourage and empower her [Coun McKay] and I am caught up in a storm that has no merit.”