A Calne councillor will keep his seat despite being ‘sexually inappropriate’.
Former mayor Robert MacNaughton was investigated by Wiltshire Council’s Standards Committee after a complaint was made back in November 2024.
A member of council staff reported the Lib Dem councillor using inappropriate language at Santa’s Grotto, when he was on duty at the Council Winter Festival.
Other similar behaviour – involving inappropriate sexualised language – was previously raised with the Personnel Sub Committee, and Councillor MacNaughton was spoken to.
Calne Town Council has confirmed that the councillor will be allowed to keep his seat.
A spokesperson said that “members are required to adhere to a code of conduct and all elected members are offered training to do their role effectively”.
They continued: “Calne Town Council expects elected Councillors to treat people with respect and to act in a way that secures public confidence in them.
“Councillors should do nothing that brings themselves or the Council into disrepute.
“Following the outcome of this code of conduct complaint, Calne Town Council will offer Councillor MacNaughton further training, and he will be required to re sign the code of conduct.
“The Chairperson of Personnel Sub-Committee, alongside the Town Mayor will meet with Councillor MacNaughton to set expectations of appropriate behaviour and to remind him how important it is that residents and community members feel safe.”
