NEWTOWNABBEY Borough Council has confirmed that officers are carrying out an investigation into claims of discrimination made by Alliance councillor Tom Campbell.
Earlier this month the Antrim Line representative made an official complaint to the Equality Commission, claiming political and religious discrimination within the council chamber.
His complaint came about after DUP and UUP councillors took the ro
le of Mayor, Deputy Mayor and all Committee Chair and Vice-Chair posts at the council’s AGM back in June.
Now councillor Campbell, who works as a solicitor, has alleged that he is being discriminated against on political grounds, while other members are being subjected to religious discrimination.
As part of the Equality Commission’s involvement in the issue, officers at Mossley Mill have been tasked with carrying out an initial investigation into councillor Campbell’s claims in accordance with the council’s complaints procedure.
Meanwhile, despite claims by UUP and DUP councillors that there is no equality issue to be answered, councillor Campbell has stressed that he will not be withdrawing his complaint.
Alderman John Scott pointed out last week how councillor Campbell had voted in favour of a DUP Mayor against his now party colleague Billy Webb during a previous AGM, and that Alliance representatives had enjoyed several high profile posts during their power-sharing deal with the DUP between 2005 and 2009.
However, responding to those comments, councillor Campbell stated: “During the time of the Alliance deal with the DUP we did our utmost to ensure participation by all the different parties in the working of the council.
“What this complaint is about is that the unionist parties have taken everything. To exclude those of different political opinions from a say in the running of the council is unlawful as these parties will find out. Such actions are not only unfair but discriminatory and inconsistent with the council's own policies.”
While not going as far as to say he would take legal action against the council, Mr Campbell did stress: “I am not prepared to accept the arrangements as they currently stand without challenging them.
“I have successfully taken legal action before over unfair and discriminatory practices in Belfast City Council and I hope that the outcome of that action is not visited on members of Newtownabbey Council.”
