'Sorry for any offence' - valleys councillor found guilty of intimidation (From South Wales Argus)

'Sorry for any offence' - valleys councillor found guilty of intimidation

12:50pm Thursday 14th May 2009

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A BLAENAU Gwent councillor suspended for intimidation and inappropriate behaviour towards a council officer yesterday said: "I'm sorry".

Abertillery councillor Nigel Daniels was suspended for nine months on Tuesday after the Adjudication Panel for Wales upheld complaints by council officer Tracey Jukes.

He said he respected the decision made by the Adjudication Panel for Wales, but maintains he does not feel he acted inappropriately.

However, said he regrets any offence he caused and wanted to say sorry for it.

Cllr Daniels said he was disappointed he was not made aware of the offence he had caused at the time and would have apologised had he been given the opportunity.

Yesterday, Cllr Daniels, who has been a councillor for the past 18 years, said he is relieved the case is over after he and his family were put under a huge amount of stress since the investigation began in August 2007.

He said: "My reaction is now one of relief because it’s been a very long and hard process over the last couple of years."

During his nine-month suspension he plans to continue to involve himself in community activities in Abertillery, including local sports clubs and Abertillery Museum.

Cllr Daniels says the suspension will be unpaid.

He said: "I’d like to thank the public and organisations in Abertillery for their friendship, support and encouragement over this very trying period."

And he said he plans to continue as Abertillery councillor after his suspension because he enjoys helping the public and trying to make a difference in the ward where he has lived in all his life.

He added: "I still feel I have a contribution to make towards the running of the council."

The panel said Cllr Daniels had acted inappropriately towards council officer Mrs Jukes on the phone on April 17, 2007, and at a portfolio meeting the next day.

He was found to have breached the code of conduct by failing to show respect to another officer and had brought his position as an elected member into disrepute.

He was suspended from the Labour Party in September 2007 because of the allegations and has been an independent councillor since.

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