The Member Conduct Panel of Leicestershire County Council is scheduled to convene on Friday 30 October 2026. The primary focus of the meeting will be an investigation into an alleged breach of the Members' Code of Conduct by Mr Joseph Boam CC.

Investigation into Alleged Breach of Members' Code of Conduct

The meeting's agenda includes the consideration of an investigation report concerning an alleged breach of the Members' Code of Conduct by Mr Joseph Boam CC. The report details a complaint made by Mr Ozzy O'Shea CC, a fellow councillor, regarding Facebook posts made by Mr Boam CC.

The complaint centres on posts made by Mr Boam CC on his Facebook page, Joseph Boam UK, which Mr O'Shea CC alleges unfairly and inaccurately blamed him for traffic difficulties arising from the rerouting of the Arriva Service 12 bus route along Church Lane, Whitwick. Mr O'Shea CC claims these posts, which included a digitally created caricature, were dishonest and damaging to his reputation.

The investigation report, prepared by Alex Oram and Mark Hedges of ch&i associates, examines whether Mr Boam CC's conduct breached paragraphs 2.3.1 (respect), 2.7.2 (harassment), and 2.16 (bringing the Council into disrepute) of the Council's Members' Code of Conduct. The investigators have concluded that while the Code of Conduct is engaged due to the connection of the posts to Council business, Mr Boam CC did not fail to treat Mr O'Shea CC with respect, nor did his conduct amount to harassment. However, the investigators recommend that the Panel consider a finding that Mr Boam CC failed to comply with paragraph 2.16, concluding that he presented a series of incorrect statements as facts, including claims about the previous Conservative administration's responsibility for the bus route change and inadequate consultation.

The report notes that Mr Boam CC disputes these findings, maintaining that his comments reflected his genuine understanding of political responsibility and were protected political expression under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. He argues that his posts were part of legitimate political debate and did not involve dishonesty or bad faith.

The Panel will be invited to determine the facts of the case, whether the Code of Conduct was engaged, and whether Mr Boam CC breached any of the specified paragraphs. If a breach is found, the Panel will then consider any appropriate sanction, taking into account Mr Boam CC's rights under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The views of the Independent Person, Mrs Pamela Roberts, will also be considered.

The meeting will also include the election of a Chairman for the meeting and the declaration of interests by members.