Hillingdon Council to review rules on councillor online conduct

Hillingdon Council is to consider a review of its constitution concerning how councillors conduct themselves online. The potential review follows revelations that the council’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Richard Mills, used pseudonyms to engage in political debate as if he were a member of the public.

During a full council meeting on Thursday, September 24, a Ruislip resident, Daniel O’Neill, asked Council Leader Cllr Steve Tuckwell to commit to reviewing Chapter 25 of the council’s Constitution. The resident specifically requested the review address councillor conduct on social media, ensuring honest identification when discussing council business or speaking in their capacity as a councillor.

Constitutional review to be considered

In response, Cllr Tuckwell stated he would ask the Head of Democratic Services to consider a review of Chapter 25. He acknowledged that constitutional provisions should be kept under review to reflect modern communication methods. Chapter 25, as it stands, primarily addresses dial-up internet connections and older computer systems, with limited provisions for modern online conduct, particularly on personal devices.

The current rule requiring honest identification applies only when councillors use council computer facilities, not when using personal smartphones for public posts. The chapter’s examples of informal online discussion are limited to chat rooms and newsgroups, lacking any reference to social media posts, comments, or profiles.

Motion on code of conduct fails

Separately, a motion proposed by Cllr Sital Punja to update the Members’ Code of Conduct to include provisions on bullying, harassment, discrimination, and the application of the code to social media was rejected. The Conservative group voted against the motion, while Labour, Reform, Green, and Independent councillors voted in favour.

Cllr Punja stated that the existing code of conduct was failing to address complaints related to bullying, racism, sexism, and online conduct, including the use of AI-generated images. She highlighted that an AI caricature posted by Cllr Mills while using a pseudonym, which she claimed promoted racist tropes, was an example of such failures. Cllr Mills and the Hillingdon Conservatives have rejected this claim.

Cllr Adam Bennett, speaking in opposition to Cllr Punja’s motion, described her concerns as a “long running diary of grievances” and accused her of using the chamber for personal battles. Cllr Stuart Mathers, Leader of Hillingdon Labour, defended Cllr Punja’s motion, stating it was put forward on behalf of the Labour Group to improve standards in public life.

Cllr Punja concluded by stating her motion aimed to improve councillor conduct and standards, expressing disappointment that the council administration had not addressed basic governance issues.