Lewisham Council is investigating several councillors for potential breaches of the Members' Code of Conduct, according to a report presented at the Standards Committee meeting on 19 November 2025.
The report, titled Complaints Update, detailed three ongoing matters. The first complaint, made in April 2025, involves a councillor against another, alleging breaches related to equality, respect, and high standards of conduct. Kirsty Cole of Bevan Brittan LLP was appointed as Investigating Officer. The complaint cites paragraphs 8 and 9 of the code. Paragraph 8 states: Members should promote equality and not discriminate unlawfully against any person and treat all people with respect... members should ensure that their comments and behaviour do not overstep the line of acceptability. Paragraph 9 states: Members should promote and support high standards of conduct in particular as characterised by the above requirements by leadership and example.
Another complaint, received in May 2025 from a member of the public, concerns two councillors and alleges bias and the conferring of an advantage, bringing the council into disrepute. The complaint alleges that one member was biased and the other member breached paragraph 2.2(1) of the Code in force at the time, namely conferring an advantage/benefit on another. A formal investigation is planned, with an external Investigating Officer to be appointed.
A third matter, dating from October 2025, involves email correspondence from a member of the public regarding the conduct of two councillors. Jeremy Chambers, Director of Law & Corporate Governance Monitoring Officer, stated that he is referring the matter to the police due to the potential for criminal conduct. Where there is an allegation that could potentially amount to criminal conduct, you always let the police deal with their elements first and then we deal with the code of conduct following the police conclusion of their work,
he said.
As of the 19 November meeting, Kirsty Cole's investigation was not concluded, and the Monitoring Officer was in the process of carrying out an initial assessment of the third complaint.
Councils may soon have the power to suspend councillors or elected mayors for serious breaches, including interim suspensions during police investigations. There is also a disqualification category for gross misconduct and repeat offenders, potentially leading to a permanent disqualification from standing.
