Disgraced councillor sparks civic walk-out

STEVE HEWITT

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A FURIOUS Saddleworth parish councillor walked out of a key community meeting after a disgraced colleague turned up.

Father of three Steve Hewitt made his protest when Mike Buckley appeared at a forum attended by more than 20 villagers and councillors at Uppermill civic hall.

The shamed councillor was making his first appearance at a public meeting since being found guilty last December of downloading more than 300 images of naked boys from the internet.

Councillor Hewitt (49), a Labour parish councillor for Grotton, Springhead and Lees, gave his apologies and left the meeting missing a presentation by the Environment Agency on Saddleworth’s recent floods.

Speaking later, Councillor Hewitt, an education officer with the Unite trade union, said: “My stance has not changed from the day he was found guilty. I refused to attend any meetings where he was present and will continue to do so. I find his behaviour abhorrent and unforgivable.

“If they abandon any parish council meeting attended by Councillor Buckley then what happens if he comes to the annual meeting?

“Unless we all take a stance and the law is not changed then he will have leave to attend full council and other committee meetings as a resident and contribute, which is totally untenable.