A COUNCILLOR has been ordered to apologise after a panel ruled he treated a union official with disrespect.

Cllr Roger Brown, who represents the Tottington ward, was accused of launching an “unreasonable and excessive personal attack” during a discussion with Steve Morton, Bury branch secretary of Unison, which represents Bury Council staff.

The discussion took place last December at a council resource and performance scrutiny committee meeting. Mr Morton had attended on behalf of council employees with regards to a pay and grading dispute.

After receiving a complaint, the council’s legal department carried out a lengthy investigation, which concluded in a standards committee hearing on September 15.

At that meeting, the panel cleared Cllr Brown of intimidating Mr Morton.

But it ruled Cllr Brown breached the councillor’s code of conduct which states “you must treat others with respect”. The panel ordered Cllr Brown to write an apology to Mr Morton.

After the meeting, Mr Morton said: “The punishment side of it isn’t important — it was more about making sure that justice was done.

“I am willing to have discussions on any issue, but not when the discussion is conducted in such an ineloquent way.”

Cllr Brown was unavailable for comment before the Bury Times went to press. He can appeal against the decision.