Councillor Reprimanded for English Language Demand

0:00On April 26th, an independent counselor in Newport named Janet Cleverley just got slapped with a rapper man for telling a city council call handler to, speak English. This happened while she was reporting a fly-tipping mess in the Betzo's ward. The ombudsman slammed her words as derogatory and humiliating, way below what folks expect from elected officials. She interrupted the handler multiple times, saying she couldn't understand and demanding English. Later that day, Cleverley emailed a cabinet member, gripping that she had to repeat and spell everything three or four times because the info got taken. Down wrong. Cleverley told investigators she felt mortified and apologized, blaming a bad phone line. She pointed out her background working in black and minority ethnic communities, plus having lots of friends from those groups, insisting she never. Man to upset anyone. The council's monitoring officer called her comments discriminatory and possibly racially motivated, noting the handler's English was fluent.

1:01At a standards committee hearing, parts stayed private to shield the handler's identity. In the end, the committee ruled she breached the code on equality, respect for others, and avoiding disreputable conduct she now faces extra training to set things straight.