Conservative councillor Michael Levy censured for breaching codes of conduct

Hackney Town Hall. Photograph: Hackney Citizen

A Conservative councillor has been censured for breaching codes of conduct.

Cllr Michael Levy, who represents Springfield ward, was found to have had a personal and prejudicial interest in an application to extend a property in Leabourne Road, Stamford Hill.

At a planning sub-committee meeting on 2 February 2012 Cllr Levy took part in a vote on the application, but under codes of conduct he should allegedly have declared an interest in the application and played no part in the decision-making process.

Cllr Levy said the standards committee which decided he was at fault could not judge him fairly as it is comprised of Labour councillors.

He said: “I think no self-respecting judge or jury would allow themselves to sit in a case where they knew the plaintiff. The committee should be comprised of even-handed people or independent appointees.”

Hackney Council officers compiled a report on Cllr Levy following a complaint against him made by planning sub-committee chair Cllr Vincent Stops.

The report stated that a council planning officer had reported being ‘buttonholed’ by Cllr Levy about the application.

In an email to colleagues in September 2011, the officer wrote: “Cllr Levy buttonholed me yesterday evening about this. Are we in crisis?!!”

The standards committee found this and other similar interventions by Cllr Levy were evidence of a prejudicial interest.

The Conservative group will now decide whether any action should be taken against Cllr Levy.

Last year Cllr Levy’s Conservative colleague Cllr Benzion Papier was found by the standards committee to have breached codes of conduct.