Dudley Council has launched an investigation into ex-mayor Ray Burston after he admitted downloading porn on a laptop provided by the authority.
Coun Burston drew gasps at a Monday council meeting as he revealed the bombshell that X-rated images were found on the computer, provided for local authority work. The images, from adult sites, were uncovered during repair work.
The Conservative councillor, a former member of the borough’s standards committee, immediately resigned from his front bench position as group environment spokesman.
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But he wants to remain a councillor for Hayley Green and Cradley South ward.
John Polychronakis, Dudley Council chief executive, said: “We are aware of a breach of the code of conduct due to inappropriate use of council ICT equipment.
“The council’s monitoring officer will now consider what action should be taken in terms of the breach of the code of conduct.”
Coun Burston, who vowed to donate his council members’ allowances to the Mayor of Dudley’s charities, said in a statement to the chamber: “Whilst the images that have been downloaded are not of an illegal nature, such access, even so, constitutes a clear breach of the council’s protocols governing the use of its IT equipment.
“Furthermore – and for me a matter of no lesser import – this access represents a breach of personal, political and religious beliefs that I hold dear and by which I have endeavoured to live my life.”
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The councillor admitted he had breached a trust placed in him by electors. He apologised to them and to council colleagues.
Brierley Hill Labour councillor Rachel Harris, who served with Coun Burston on the standards committee, said: “I was absolutely shocked. I do believe that councillors should try and uphold the highests standards in public life.
“There are new local government procedures, meaning if someone has carried out misconduct of this sort, if the complaint is made by the public, that it goes to the standards committee. I’m speculating, but that might happen.
“I, myself, have very deep feelings about pornography and the way it exploits women.”
Coun Burston was Mayor of Dudley for the year 2008-09.