Council leader cleared of conduct code breach

THE leader of Merthyr Tydfil council has been cleared of breaching the authority’s code of conduct.

Independent councillor Kevin O’Neill was the subject of a complaint made by the Labour Party in relation to an alleged breach.

The complaint was submitted last October, but after a full investigation by the ombudsman the case was thrown out with no evidence to suggest there had been a failure to comply with the code of conduct.

A Public Services Ombudsman for Wales spokesman said: “Following investigation the ombudsman found no evidence that Councillor Kevin O’Neill of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council had failed to comply with his authority’s code of conduct.”

A Facebook post from the Independent Group in Merthyr Tydfil said Cllr O’Neill, who had been under investigation for eight months, was “relieved” by the outcome and welcomed the fact the investigation had been undertaken to the highest possible standard and fully exonerated him.

He said: “I would like to thank my family for their unwavering support, my Independent team for all of their hard work and encouragement through this time, and not least the overwhelming support of the public of Merthyr Tydfil.

“My main aim now, having been fully vindicated, is to work for the people of Merthyr to continue the improvements we have made over the last 12 months.”