THE council leader at the centre of a computer porn inquiry is today facing renewed pressure to quit – including a call from his own side.
Cllr Stephen MacLoughlin, Conservative leader of Bournemouth Borough Council, faces a hearing into his conduct over the adult websites viewed on his council laptop.
Now a member of his own group has joined those saying he should have stood down while the issue was investigated.
But Cllr MacLoughlin has said he won’t resign and insisted: “There is no turmoil at the Town Hall.”
Last week, a meeting of the council’s standards board decided he potentially breached the council’s code of conduct when his computer was used to access top-shelf material. He will face a hearing in mid-August, which could be held in public.
Long-serving Conservative Cllr Basil Ratcliffe told the Daily Echo: “Having it in public is an excellent idea. It’s the only way of letting people see that things have been dealt with in a proper manner.
“I think you should always stand aside until you’re cleared if there’s something hanging over your head. It would have been far better to stand aside until the matter was dealt with.”
Independent group leader Cllr Anne Rey said: “I’ve said right from the start that he should have resigned straight away.
“He has held his position ever since and if it had been an opposition member or a member of staff, they would have been gone.”
Cllr Claire Smith, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition, said: “As I said at the beginning when this story broke, he should have done the decent thing and stepped down straight away as leader.
“Every time someone comes under investigation all 54 councillors are tarred with the same brush and that’s why we should have a completely open investigation into all of the allegations and it should be done quickly.”
Cllr MacLoughlin told the Echo he would have stood down when the issue became public knowledge last October if his colleagues had asked him to.
“Both the Conservative group and the council gave me their confidence, their support and therefore there was no intention to resign and the situation hasn’t changed,” he said.
He denied that the work of the council was being overshadowed by his own problems or those of other councillors.
Fellow Conservative Cllr Richard Powell was recently revealed by the Echo to have sent racist text messages, while Cllr Douglas Spencer faces a national Tory party inquiry into unspecified allegations.
Cllr MacLoughlin said: “One of the headlines I saw last week was ‘Turmoil at Town Hall’. There’s no turmoil – everybody is focused on doing the job.
“We face a very difficult set of circumstances with the budget last week, where the chancellor indicated that the public sector outside protected departments faced 25 per cent cuts in the next five years. We are focused on the job at hand.”
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Well said Cllr Ratcliffe, now lets hope you get some support from your own group, or are all the other Tories to frightened to stand up to your leader?
Go now MacLoughlin before the town suffers further damage by you and your chums headline grabbing antics!
Well said Cllr Ratcliffe, now lets hope you get some support from your own group, or are all the other Tories to frightened to stand up to your leader?
Go now MacLoughlin before the town suffers further damage by you and your chums headline grabbing antics!
Is MacLoughlin really so arrogant or just plain stupid ? Of course he won’t resign he’s on a nice little earner and a major ego trip.
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But we shouldn’t forget that it’s the whole Tory group on the Council who are keeping this man in his job. Conservative councillors could get rid of MacLoughlin tomorrow by supporting a vote of no confidence. They are clearly, to use one of George Osbournes favourite phrases, “all in this together” prepared to risk their own reputations and victory at the next local elections by showing misguided loyalty to a dishonourable and very unpopular leader.
Is MacLoughlin really so arrogant or just plain stupid ? Of course he won’t resign he’s on a nice little earner and a major ego trip.
.
But we shouldn’t forget that it’s the whole Tory group on the Council who are keeping this man in his job. Conservative councillors could get rid of MacLoughlin tomorrow by supporting a vote of no confidence. They are clearly, to use one of George Osbournes favourite phrases, “all in this together” prepared to risk their own reputations and victory at the next local elections by showing misguided loyalty to a dishonourable and very unpopular leader.
We should be told what websites MacLoughline was viewing. It is very unlikely that the images he viewed would be on the 'top shelf' at W H Smith. This is a deliberate attempt to play down the seriousness of what he did. If I accessed 'top shelf' websites via work supplied IT equipment, I would be summarily dismissed. MacLoughlin should have resigned at the time he was caught. The man obviously knows no shame. To say that 'We are focused on the job at hand' is a bit unfortunate.
We should be told what websites MacLoughline was viewing. It is very unlikely that the images he viewed would be on the 'top shelf' at W H Smith. This is a deliberate attempt to play down the seriousness of what he did. If I accessed 'top shelf' websites via work supplied IT equipment, I would be summarily dismissed. MacLoughlin should have resigned at the time he was caught. The man obviously knows no shame. To say that 'We are focused on the job at hand' is a bit unfortunate.
Good for Basil! A man with guts who says what he thinks and speaks COMMON-SENSE!
MacLoughlin should go. He is not a good leader, and as Basil will find out he is probably a bully. He certainly does not lead by example.
I reckon David Cameron needs him and his type like a hole in the head with all that he faces at the moment.
Good for Basil! A man with guts who says what he thinks and speaks COMMON-SENSE!
MacLoughlin should go. He is not a good leader, and as Basil will find out he is probably a bully. He certainly does not lead by example.
I reckon David Cameron needs him and his type like a hole in the head with all that he faces at the moment.
'Cllr MacLoughlin insisted 'There is no tumoil at the Town Hall.'
This is as believable as when Richard Nixon said 'There was no cover up' at the White House over Watergate.
Would you buy a second hand laptop from MacLoughlin?!
Get your Nicks On now, MacLoughlin and crawl back into the closet where you belong!
'Cllr MacLoughlin insisted 'There is no tumoil at the Town Hall.'
This is as believable as when Richard Nixon said 'There was no cover up' at the White House over Watergate.
Would you buy a second hand laptop from MacLoughlin?!
Get your Nicks On now, MacLoughlin and crawl back into the closet where you belong!
I bet if this had been a regular council employee,like a secretary,they would already be looking for another job,as usual one rule for one,one rule for the rest of them,typical tories,we look after the high rollers and stuff the everyday people in the street,and this country voted the tories in.
I bet if this had been a regular council employee,like a secretary,they would already be looking for another job,as usual one rule for one,one rule for the rest of them,typical tories,we look after the high rollers and stuff the everyday people in the street,and this country voted the tories in.
Cllr MacLoughlin says he would have resigned if his colleagues at the Town Hall had asked him to - well what about the ver people who put him in his job in the first place? Don't the wishes of his electorate matter to him?!
The man is an arrogant bumptious fool who should have gone long ago and if he has time to sit looking at p o r n on his laptop, then he surely doesn't have enough work to do in the first place?
Cllr MacLoughlin says he would have resigned if his colleagues at the Town Hall had asked him to - well what about the ver people who put him in his job in the first place? Don't the wishes of his electorate matter to him?!
The man is an arrogant bumptious fool who should have gone long ago and if he has time to sit looking at p o r n on his laptop, then he surely doesn't have enough work to do in the first place?
Conservative Councillors must really think clearly now - and do what is best for their Party. To continue to allow Cllr. MacLoughlin to remain is the same as condoning his behaviour in keeping the laptop farce a secret. Unlike, Cllr. Powell, Cllr. MacLoughlin did not refer himself to the Standards Committee when the images were found on his computer. He had an opportunity to clear his name quietly, and in the correct manner but chose not to do so.
By ignoring the Standards Committee he set himself apart - seeing himself as worthy of special treatment, above other Councillors. The fact that he was allowed to do this by the Chief Executive and the Monitoring Officer added immeasureably to the dishonerable nature of his behaviour and how the Party is viewed locally.
So when Councillors vote this week, they must think of that.
The elections in May are not far away - it would be far better for the reputation of their Party and the reputation of Councillors from other groups and our town, if the Conservative group ask him to step-down.
For Cllr. MacLoughlin to say there is no turmoil at the Town Hall is even more alarming as it is a clear indication that he is even more out of touch with what is happening than we thought. A very sad, affair all round.
Conservative Councillors must really think clearly now - and do what is best for their Party. To continue to allow Cllr. MacLoughlin to remain is the same as condoning his behaviour in keeping the laptop farce a secret. Unlike, Cllr. Powell, Cllr. MacLoughlin did not refer himself to the Standards Committee when the images were found on his computer. He had an opportunity to clear his name quietly, and in the correct manner but chose not to do so.
By ignoring the Standards Committee he set himself apart - seeing himself as worthy of special treatment, above other Councillors. The fact that he was allowed to do this by the Chief Executive and the Monitoring Officer added immeasureably to the dishonerable nature of his behaviour and how the Party is viewed locally.
So when Councillors vote this week, they must think of that.
The elections in May are not far away - it would be far better for the reputation of their Party and the reputation of Councillors from other groups and our town, if the Conservative group ask him to step-down.
For Cllr. MacLoughlin to say there is no turmoil at the Town Hall is even more alarming as it is a clear indication that he is even more out of touch with what is happening than we thought. A very sad, affair all round.
Just another egotistic, parasite freeloader who thinks the rules don't apply to him.
"We are focused on the job at hand.” You couldn't make it up.
Just another egotistic, parasite freeloader who thinks the rules don't apply to him.
"We are focused on the job at hand.” You couldn't make it up.
If he does go, his colleagues could give him some screen cleaner and keyboard wipes as a leaving present. But I wonder how many would be comfortable shaking his hand...
If he does go, his colleagues could give him some screen cleaner and keyboard wipes as a leaving present. But I wonder how many would be comfortable shaking his hand...
Has all this been manipulated by Cllr Beasley so he can become Leader? If so he better be careful as "people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones"
We already have 4 Bournemouth councillors under investigation and there is room for more!
Has all this been manipulated by Cllr Beasley so he can become Leader? If so he better be careful as "people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones"
We already have 4 Bournemouth councillors under investigation and there is room for more!
what else do you expect one rule for them and another for employees, if an employee was found doing this and it was proved the leader would be shouting for their dissmissal,therfore he should go
what else do you expect one rule for them and another for employees, if an employee was found doing this and it was proved the leader would be shouting for their dissmissal,therfore he should go
Yes he should go.
I would not feel happy about someone who looks at these things having anything to do with the pubic .
Every time he sits down and speaks to a woman who really knows what he is really thinking ?.
As a leader he should set an example . The example in this situation is not one for me.
marmite man wrote…
Has all this been manipulated by Cllr Beasley so he can become Leader? If so he better be careful as "people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones" We already have 4 Bournemouth councillors under investigation and there is room for more!
Cllr. Beesley is also under investigation - I doubt if anyone has "manipulated" anything - but even if they did, there would have to be something to manipulate in the first place - oh dear such unfortunate phrase in the circumstances!
marmite man wrote…
Has all this been manipulated by Cllr Beasley so he can become Leader? If so he better be careful as "people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones" We already have 4 Bournemouth councillors under investigation and there is room for more!
Cllr. Beesley is also under investigation - I doubt if anyone has "manipulated" anything - but even if they did, there would have to be something to manipulate in the first place - oh dear such unfortunate phrase in the circumstances!
This is a storm in a teacup stirred up by the likes of Anne Rey and her cronies.
Quite how Anne Rey can sit on the Standards Committee and remain objective after all the remarks she has made about Cllr MacLoughlin is hard to see.
Cllr Rey should stand down from the Standards Committee with immediate effect or keep her mouth shut in public about individual councillors currently under scrutiny.
This is a storm in a teacup stirred up by the likes of Anne Rey and her cronies.
Quite how Anne Rey can sit on the Standards Committee and remain objective after all the remarks she has made about Cllr MacLoughlin is hard to see.
Cllr Rey should stand down from the Standards Committee with immediate effect or keep her mouth shut in public about individual councillors currently under scrutiny.
Oldalbanian = Tory defending Tory mates? Perhaps we should be told?
.
See he's popped up on the racist councillor story as well congratulating that cllr on being let off on a technicality.
Oldalbanian = Tory defending Tory mates? Perhaps we should be told?
.
See he's popped up on the racist councillor story as well congratulating that cllr on being let off on a technicality.
Oldalbanian wrote…
This is a storm in a teacup stirred up by the likes of Anne Rey and her cronies. Quite how Anne Rey can sit on the Standards Committee and remain objective after all the remarks she has made about Cllr MacLoughlin is hard to see. Cllr Rey should stand down from the Standards Committee with immediate effect or keep her mouth shut in public about individual councillors currently under scrutiny.
Definitely he has the backing here of another Tory who delights in his (leader/colleague/ma
sonic friend?) doing everything a GOOD and fit councillor should NOT be doing in 'serving the public'. Another member of the elite 'pond life' brigade who think they are untouchable and treat the public with contempt?
There is a limit to what the reducing number of Tory voters will stand from this badly stained party locally, so hopefully Bournemouth will be voting in a large number of Independents next time round.
Oldalbanian wrote…
This is a storm in a teacup stirred up by the likes of Anne Rey and her cronies. Quite how Anne Rey can sit on the Standards Committee and remain objective after all the remarks she has made about Cllr MacLoughlin is hard to see. Cllr Rey should stand down from the Standards Committee with immediate effect or keep her mouth shut in public about individual councillors currently under scrutiny.
Definitely he has the backing here of another Tory who delights in his (leader/colleague/ma
sonic friend?) doing everything a GOOD and fit councillor should NOT be doing in 'serving the public'. Another member of the elite 'pond life' brigade who think they are untouchable and treat the public with contempt?
There is a limit to what the reducing number of Tory voters will stand from this badly stained party locally, so hopefully Bournemouth will be voting in a large number of Independents next time round.
If you on £100,000 a year ( yes... pay,expenses,pension + other earners) why resign, why not get sacked as the remuneration is probably a lot better of you are sacked plus you'll still get your councillors perks.
He's obviously so arrogant that he see's himself as someone special.
Saying that, I hope he doesn't toss himself off a cliff over this ?
Security word - hand-cash ....priceless
could westbourne man tell us what cliffs surname is
contric wrote…
could westbourne man tell us what cliffs surname is
Priceless .......... LOL !
five fives are twenty five change hands thirty, this is tiring work.
"Go forth and don't multiply !" Cllr MacLoughlin
I feel on ode coming soon
Oldalbanian wrote…
This is a storm in a teacup stirred up by the likes of Anne Rey and her cronies.
Quite how Anne Rey can sit on the Standards Committee and remain objective after all the remarks she has made about Cllr MacLoughlin is hard to see.
Cllr Rey should stand down from the Standards Committee with immediate effect or keep her mouth shut in public about individual councillors currently under scrutiny.
Spot on.
Oldalbanian wrote…
This is a storm in a teacup stirred up by the likes of Anne Rey and her cronies.
Quite how Anne Rey can sit on the Standards Committee and remain objective after all the remarks she has made about Cllr MacLoughlin is hard to see.
Cllr Rey should stand down from the Standards Committee with immediate effect or keep her mouth shut in public about individual councillors currently under scrutiny.
Spot on.
mike onetater wrote…
I feel on ode coming soon
Go for it! Make it a good one.
An ode to a council worker.
There was a council worker bent
To save himself trouble
He bent it in double
Instead of coming he went.
The problem is that the whole organisation is bad!!! Disabled Man bullied out of the council by the lousy Accountancy Section. Hold you heads in shame Paula Mills & Stephen Parker.
Old McLaptop had a palm
eee eye eee eye oh
and in that palm
best not to go
eee eye eee eye ohhhhh
with corruption here
conflicts there
here a con
there a con
how long can the cons hang on
old Mclaptop had a palm
eee eye eee eye ooooohhhhhh
busguy wrote…
contric wrote…
It's coming....oh, yes RICH-HARD.
Congratulations and masturbations!!
" There is no turmoil in the Town hall" OMG what is he on?? 5 local councillors under the scrutiny of 'conduct unbecoming' and of course the 'I am sorry for having **** on my council owned laptop' in not only the local gaze but on National prime time news as well....and he still wont resign.... Kind of like the England team stating that all was well and were prepared for all eventualities...exce
pt losing. Do the town and the **** industry a favour.....RESIGN!!!
" There is no turmoil in the Town hall" OMG what is he on?? 5 local councillors under the scrutiny of 'conduct unbecoming' and of course the 'I am sorry for having **** on my council owned laptop' in not only the local gaze but on National prime time news as well....and he still wont resign.... Kind of like the England team stating that all was well and were prepared for all eventualities...exce
pt losing. Do the town and the **** industry a favour.....RESIGN!!!
Stephen MacLoughlin should resign with immediate effect.
No other option.
Why should this man cling on to a top job when if any of us were caught viewing lewd images on workplace computers we would be dismissed and escorted off company premises?
The arrogance of the man is proven by the fact he has not already quit.
Shameful.
And I help pay this low lifes wages!
Shocking!
RESIGN Cllr. MacLoughlin.
Do so NOW!
Stephen MacLoughlin should resign with immediate effect.
No other option.
Why should this man cling on to a top job when if any of us were caught viewing lewd images on workplace computers we would be dismissed and escorted off company premises?
The arrogance of the man is proven by the fact he has not already quit.
Shameful.
And I help pay this low lifes wages!
Shocking!
RESIGN Cllr. MacLoughlin.
Do so NOW!
I can't understand the fuss. Ok, he's viewed pornographic material on his works laptop, but is that really a resigning issue. I would have thought the embarresment of it being made public would have been punishment enough. As always with politics you only need give your enemies the most trivial of excuses and your done for.
I can't understand the fuss. Ok, he's viewed pornographic material on his works laptop, but is that really a resigning issue. I would have thought the embarresment of it being made public would have been punishment enough. As always with politics you only need give your enemies the most trivial of excuses and your done for.
Who would be best to replace him? The one accused of sending Racist texts or the one under investigation for arranging planning permission for his mates? Or how about the other one who we don't even know what he's being investigated for?
Doesn't it make the town proud to be 'served' by such (ahem) 'Upstanding' Councilors
Who would be best to replace him? The one accused of sending Racist texts or the one under investigation for arranging planning permission for his mates? Or how about the other one who we don't even know what he's being investigated for?
Doesn't it make the town proud to be 'served' by such (ahem) 'Upstanding' Councilors
I bet he's been perving web site for years now as i cant belive this just some one off mistake. He has no respect for himself or the Public concerns about many like him in authority who are purving these web sites juring working hours of bordom. RESIGN, becouse anyone who does this does not deserve public confidence in such authority. Bet many are at this in the Town Hall but not been found out yet!!
"We are focused on the job at hand.”
surely
"We are focused on the job IN hand.”
I agree with 'Bormuf Boy' surely everyone this is making a mountain out of a mole hill. Not many guys don't like watching a bit of **** every now and again. Although I'm sure he must be pretty embarrassed about this being made public.
I hate to imagine the amount of money that is going to be wasted on this inquiry!!!
I agree with 'Bormuf Boy' surely everyone this is making a mountain out of a mole hill. Not many guys don't like watching a bit of **** every now and again. Although I'm sure he must be pretty embarrassed about this being made public.
I hate to imagine the amount of money that is going to be wasted on this inquiry!!!
corrupto wrote: Or how about the other one who we don't even know what he's being investigated for?
I can't wait to hear if the rumours I have heard are true. Everyone will instantly forget the MacGloughlin debacle.
corrupto wrote: Or how about the other one who we don't even know what he's being investigated for?
I can't wait to hear if the rumours I have heard are true. Everyone will instantly forget the MacGloughlin debacle.
jquain - its the hypocrisy of it all. One rule for them and one for others including council workers - not long ago many were suspended for forwarding a joke via their email. One women I know was so hounded and bullied by her managers within the coucil that she had a nervous breakdown. There has been an organisationall culture of fear developed to keep the top people in their positions of power and sadly corruption. This is not about people viewing **** (although it does beg the question as to how anyone caught accessing these sites can oversee decisions regarding family projects within the borough). This is about the blatant abandonment of the democratic processes in order to retain a position of power. I refer to council procedures that were not followed and with the full knowledge and guidance of MacLoughlin. If he had followed procedures and not try and hide his ''indiscretion', it would not have come to this and would of saved money. Such is the arogance that comes with power sustained through fear.