Video of councillor 'getting in the bath' deleted

A local authority has been accused of covering up an incident in which a senior councillor allegedly joined a training video call while getting into the bath.

An opposition councillor said Reform UK's James Petter, the deputy leader at West Northamptonshire Council, left his camera on while he was undressed.

Ian McCord referred to Petter as "councillor Pecker".

The authority has revealed that the recording of the training has been deleted due to "sensitive content", and one Liberal Democrat councillor asked: "Why are we covering up this sort of thing?"

James Petter has been approached for comment.

Following a Freedom of Information request, the council confirmed that the video of the treasury management meeting was deleted as standard practice "to protect individuals' privacy".

The authority pointed out that it was the only deleted recording from all its online training sessions carried out since new councillors joined in May.

It was deleted on 22 September, shortly after the meeting concluded.

But Independent councillor McCord revealed to a full council meeting last year that Petter had left his camera on.

Lib Dem leader Jonathan Harris said: "It's effectively getting rid of evidence."

He said "in any other walk of life" there would have been an inquiry and an apology.

"We need to strengthen the code of conduct for councillors," he added.

"One can only hope he's learned his lesson and he's learned how to switch his camera on and off."

According to the member's code of conduct, councillors must not conduct themselves in a manner which could reasonably be regarded as bringing their office or the council into disrepute.

Labour group leader Sally Keeble said: "I completely understand [the council] taking it down, but I think they were wrong to destroy it.

"They should've kept it until it had been completely investigated."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service put the allegations to James Petter and council leader Mark Arnull.

Earlier on Friday, a West Northamptonshire Council spokesperson said: "Where a matter involves personal or sensitive information relating to an individual, the council has a duty of care and data protection obligations and therefore cannot discuss details publicly."

They said the authority took "steps consistent with standard information management practice".

"[This includes] protecting individuals' privacy where personal or sensitive data may be captured. These considerations are applied consistently, irrespective of the individuals involved."

When asked for comment, Arnull referred the BBC to the council statement. Petter has yet to respond.

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