Mayor to apologise for remarks

Coun John Fareham was found to have breached two parts of the code of conduct for councillors but was cleared of bullying his former support officer Inga Jorgensen.

A panel sitting at Hull's Guildhall found that the veteran Tory councillor was a "strong character", "inclined to banter" and "was less aware than perhaps he should have been" of the distress he was causing her.

Mrs Jorgensen worked for Coun Fareham for nearly four years before the situation became "intolerable" and she left.

The panel accepted Coun Fareham was remorseful and told him to write a letter of apology to Mrs Jorgensen.

He has also committed himself to undertake further training.

Managers were criticised for not acting on her complaints when she raised concerns, saying they had failed not only her but Coun Fareham and the authority.

Coun Fareham said it had been "hell", but added: "I accept the findings. I think it is a fair, mature and balanced consideration by the tribunal and I have already sent the draft of my apology to the lawyers.

"I now look forward to putting this distressing experience behind me and look forward to serving the public."

Yesterday, the panel heard from council leader Carl Minns. Commenting on the now notorious "wonk" remarks, Coun Minns said most of the collective political press used the term, as did popular TV programmes.

He said only last week he had told a Government Minister that his presentation was "wonkish".