A statement from South Tyneside Green Party 

 South Tyneside Green Party 

 10th March 2024 

South Tyneside Green Party condemns the gross misuse of public money by the former Labour Council Leader

As details are released about the misuse of public money by disgraced former Labour leader of South Tyneside Council, Iain Malcolm, we are appalled to learn the extent of the findings of this part of the investigation.

The people of South Tyneside put their trust in elected councillors to act honestly, with integrity and with the best interests of residents at the heart of everything they do.

Mr Malcolm’s actions have served to erode public trust to such an extent, that it’s undermined the confidence of thousands of South Tynesiders and many have quite rightly lost trust in both local democracy and this Labour-run council.

Thanks and credit must undoubtedly go to officers and council workers who were brave enough to take a stand and whistleblow about his behaviour and the culture of bullying and intimidation that was allowed to develop within the council.

There are many Labour councillors sitting in the council chamber today who served under Malcolm’s regime – who not only allowed this behaviour to continue for years but also supported this toxic environment and did not speak out, despite them having the privilege of a platform to do so. South Tyneside Green Party would hope that those current Labour councillors take time to reflect and consider their own positions as elected members.

South Tyneside Green Party condemns this gross misuse of public money in the strongest terms – particularly when so many across our borough have struggled through years of austerity and a cost of living crisis. Your Green Party councillors and campaigners work hard all year round to listen to local people, act on their concerns and be their voice in the council chamber – with the values of fairness, openness and transparency at the core of what we do.

We hope for a speedy resolution to the other part of the investigation, that we believe is due to be scrutinised over the coming weeks.

You can read the full report here.