Councillor Apologizes for Derogatory Comments to Sri Lankan Handler

0:00On April 27th, a Newport City Council independent counselor named Janet Cleverley has apologized after telling a call handler from Sri Lanka to speak. English during a fly tipping report back in August 2024. The handler was just four weeks into the job after moving to the UK in 2022. Cleverley got reprimanded for her derogatory comments and now has to complete extra equality training. The call got heated when the handler mentioned disruptive sounds and asked her to repeat details. Cleverley interrupted twice, saying she couldn't understand and demanding English. She followed up with an email to a cabinet member, complaining the handler took her info wrong after multiple repeats and spellings. Council staff reviewed the recording and called her tone unnecessary and humiliating. The new handler felt belittled and questioned about her skills. A customer service manager labelled it highly inappropriate even though the handler didn't want to file a formal complaint. The monitoring officer deemed the handler's English fluent and saw Cleverley's remarks as discriminatory, possibly racially motivated. Cleverley defended herself by

1:06noting her many friends from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, calling the call frustrating and disagreeing on the clarity. She later told the panel she was mortified. In the end, the committee found breaches in the council code on equality, respect, and conduct. They issued a formal censure instead of suspension, stressing her contrition and community work. It's a reminder that public roles demand patience, no matter the frustration.