Councillors sorry for social media conduct

TWO Middlesbrough councillors have apologised for their conduct on social media, the council's Standards Committee has been told.

- By DANIEL HODGSON

Labour Councillors Ian Blades and Zafar Uddin were given a slap on the wrist for their conduct on social media.

The two members wrote letters of apology to the council's monitoring officer, Charlotte Benjamin, and attended a social media training session as part of an "informal resolution".

In his apology letter, received by Middlesbrough Council on April 2, 2025, which was circulated to the Standards Committee, Cllr Blades said: "On occasion, my actions have not always met the high standards I strive for, for which I apologise. I feel, as I have always felt, that it is important that the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Board (OSB) to set a high standard of member behaviour."

Meanwhile, Cllr Uddin recognised that "social media activity on my personal account fell below the standards expected.

"I apologise for any offence caused by this".

Both councillors set out in their letters they had attended social media training in February 2025, provided by the Local Government Association. This training was open to all councillors, not just those who were in trouble. Ten councillors attended the training, and Labour councillor Jill Ewan said: "I was there and as far as I am aware I'm not on the naughty list."