A public services watchdog has dropped an investigation into an alleged breach of conduct by a council chairperson.
Mournes Alliance rep, Jill Truesdale made an official complaint against Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s now former chairperson, Pete Byrne.
The alleged conduct was said to have occurred during an emergency Mourne Gateway programme board meeting on Friday, May 2.
A spokesperson for NIPSO (Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman) said: “We carried out an assessment of an allegation that the conduct of a councillor at a meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council may have breached the Councillor’s Code of Conduct.
“The assessment was carried out under our Local Government Commissioner for Standards function. This part of our organisation looks at allegations against councillors.
“However, no further action will be taken in this case.”
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) contacted Cllr Pete Byrne.
He said: “I welcome this decision. During my year as chair I treated everyone with fairness and respect and I’m glad that has been recognised.
“It was the honour of a lifetime to serve as chair of Newry, Mourne and Down, my home. I spent the year doing all I could to highlight the best of what this area has to offer and the fantastic people and organisations we are so fortunate to have in our community. That will be my continued focus going forward.”
The LDRS also contacted Cllr Truesdale, though she did not “wish to comment at this time”.
