Walsall Council responds to former leader's 'harassment, bullying and intimidation' claims
The former leader of Walsall Council made the allegations in an open letter to the Express & Star.
Former leader of Walsall Council and current Pelsall ward Councillor Garry Perry announced his resignation from office on Thursday (July 31), having stepped down as leader in May.
In an email sent to the Express & Star, the former council leader said there was 'little point' in continuing to work in a system that has 'become increasingly tone deaf to challenge', and where 'fallacious arguments' are allowed.
Councillor Perry suddenly stepped down as leader of the council on May 21, citing 'bullying and harassment' from inside the council as the reason.
The former council leader went on to say that politics, both nationally and locally, is in 'urgent need of repair', and that he could no longer be part of a culture 'where intimidation is normalised, and dishonesty goes unchecked'.
Councillor Perry said: "There is little point in continuing within a system that has become increasingly tone deaf to challenge – where fallacious arguments are crafted to suit internal narratives, where transparency is often optional, and where pipe dream ideas are given undue attention while more pressing local needs go unmet.
"Politics – both local and national – is in urgent need of repair. Yet, I have been privileged to work alongside exceptional public servants and officers who, often quietly and without recognition, do their utmost for residents despite a thankless and sometimes oppressive political culture.
"I can no longer be part of a culture where intimidation is normalised, and dishonesty goes unchecked. That is not public service – and I will not allow my presence to imply otherwise."
