Councillor resigns in protest over troubled town council's "disgusting and repugnant" treatment of former colleague

Carl Crossland quit from Maltby Town Council after the authority directed legal action against ex-member Donna Sutton.

Locum clerk Safia Kauser told a meeting two weeks ago that Mrs Sutton had recorded a staffing and finance meeting in November and directed questions to vice-chair John Kirk about the legalities of the meeting.

Ms Kauser said this was unauthorised because the meeting had not legally opened.

Chair Cllr Chris McMahon revealed at the meeting on March 2 that the council had agreed unanimously to take legal action against Mrs Sutton just two days before Christmas, which coincided with the time she was dealing with the death of her husband from a terminal illness.  

Mr Crossland provided a copy of his resignation letter to the Advertiser in which he called the council a “farce” for holding long-standing “vendettas” against ex-employees like Mrs Sutton and ex-clerk Sarah Youngman.

“As far as I am aware, the video that Donna filmed was legal. I even spoke to [Rotherham Council’s legal services team],” he said.  

“I was there that night and saw everything transpire so I am very aware of what went on.

“That some councillors went so far as to hire a law firm to take the case against Donna for doing something she was legally allowed to do was disgusting and repugnant.

“Considering the dates on the letter were around her husband’s terminal illness, his passing and the holiday season, I find this downright despicable considering the circumstances she found herself in.

“And demanding that she respond within two days is highly unprofessional.

“Hearing that, in good conscience, I cannot be part of this farce anymore.

“I hope that in the future things do get better and I will possibly look to rejoin when I have seen that the council will start anew because I fear that people are only out for their own gain.

“The people of Maltby deserve better and only a complete cleanse will bring about a better time and a more compassionate council.”

Maltby Town Council said it had given Mrs Sutton the required amount of time to respond to the letter and would now look to fill the vacancy left by Mr Crossland no later than March 31.