Spying scandal Inquiry will look into monitoring of disabled children’s families

An independent investigation into the social media monitoring of parents with disabled children will finally be launched three years after the scandal erupted.

- Alex SEABROOK Local democracy reporter

But doubts remain about how much the investigation will be able to find out because key politicians could simply refuse to take part.

Labour suggested what the inquiry should explore, but omitting the role of leading councillors. Other parties said the investigation must look at which politicians authorised the monitoring. They added that current Labour councillors have a duty to get former politicians to help out.

Bristol City Council will appoint an independent expert to investigate claims that staff monitored the social media accounts of parents with children with special educational needs and disabilities. SEND parents, including a Labour councillor, have said they were spied on.

The SEND spying scandal was revealed in 2022 when leaked emails appeared to show council staff cross-referencing private social media accounts, including with wedding photos. Posts criticising the council’s SEND support were used to justify cutting funding for a parents' group.