Cllr Robert Lawton ordered on training course after 'inappropriate behaviour'

Cllr Robert Lawton, a cabinet member and chair of Bournemouth East Conservative Association, was found to have breached the councillors’ code of conduct and will also have to apologise to Sara Wraight, a delivery manager with the Bournemouth 2026 partnership project.

Mrs Wraight had made five allegations of improper behaviour against Cllr Lawton, including a claim that he referred to her as a “pretty little thing”.

But the solicitor who investigated the claims upheld only one allegation, in which Cllr Lawton approached Mrs Wraight from behind and placed his hands on her shoulders in what witnesses described as an “intimate gesture”.

Mrs Wraight, a married mother-of-two, told the town hall hearing the case had affected her work and personal life: “I have felt intimidated, disempowered, betrayed, undermined and at times very scared.

“I have experienced stress and anxiety whilst being in the town hall – I have avoided doing normal tasks such as answering the phone and going to certain parts of the town hall, for fear of meeting Cllr Lawton.”

She said it was important to send out “a clear message that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated”.

In mitigation, Cllr Lawton, who represents East Southbourne and Tuckton, said: “There was no intent, it was a friendly gesture. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you look at it, I don’t come from this part of the country. I’m a northern boy and we tend to be more friendly than people in the south.

“I was wrong, I admit I was wrong, I admitted it instantly and I tried to contact her the next day to apologise. I do so again today.”

Council leader Peter Charon told the Echo Cllr Lawton was a “man of integrity” and retained his full support. But he said he was concerned to hear how Mrs Wraight had been affected and would be asking the chief executive to ensure support is in place to help her put the matter behind her.