Former council leader is cleared of bullying

CODE OF CONDUCT WAS NOT BREACHED - REPORT

- By DANIEL HOLLAND Local Democracy Reporter

NEWCASTLE'S former council leader has been cleared of bullying a senior director.

An investigation has found that Nick Kemp did not breach Newcastle City Council’s code of conduct in his treatment of Michelle Percy, who made a complaint against the long-serving city politician in September 2024.

Coun Kemp, who resigned as council leader days after the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed he was the subject of the complaint, has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Last week, a cross-party group of councillors called for transparency on the full findings of the lengthy investigation, amid wider concerns about the culture of governance at the Civic Centre.