Campaign launched to get former council chief reinstated

Close to 100 people rallied together at Shotton Wetherspoons to show support for Cllr Bernie Attridge, with one resident asking ‘is this a democracy or a dictatorship?’

It has previously been reported that Cllr Attridge was removed from his position as deputy leader and cabinet member for housing by the leader of the council, Aaron Shotton.

Jean Hallmark, local resident, said: “Bernie Attridge is a good councillor, he’s a good leader and he helps local people an awful lot, far more than anyone else does.

“He’s got the best judgement and will be very hard to replace.”

Ian Gibbons

Stacey Clowes said Cllr Attridge has helped her and many others living at Pen y Llan flats.

She said: “I stand by Bernie, he’s the best councillor in Connah’s Quay, if it wasn’t for him, a lot of people wouldn’t have houses to live in.

“He needs to be here, he’s done everything for me and so many other people.

“He will get back in, I will make sure he does.

“Bernie doesn’t have to do what he does, he doesn’t have to help me because he’s a county councillor but he does it.

“If it wasn’t for him a lot of people would be dead.”

Lynne Chick, who helped organise the event, said: “Bernie has been a life long friend, I grew up with him and he supported me after the tragic death of my daughter.

“He supported everything from helping me campaign to being a friend to talk to and has continued to support me.

“The community believes Aaron should stand down and Bernie be reinstated.”

Bernie's daughter Nicole Attridge

Sue Jones, who also helped organise the meeting, added: “Bernie has been a great friend to me and supported me with my company, he’s always supported me with my job and at the labour club.

“Even when he’s ill in bed he’s helping people.

“He’s helped a lot of people and now it’s time for them to step up to show support for him.”

Another show of support will be held at the Labour Club on April 3 at 6.30pm for the councillor and a peaceful protest will be held outside County Hall on May 7.

Ms Chick is also urging people to use the hashtag #IstandwithBernie to show their support.

Cllr Eric Faulkner said: “As councillors we have a code of practise not to name and shame another councillor, but we can praise one. Bernie is a fantastic man and does everything for anyone, he’s a credit to Flintshire.”

At the meeting, comments of support were pouring in for the former council chief, with people saying he is the one councillor they can rely on.

Ian Gibbons, presenter at Radio Deeside, added: “The anonymous way he’s got rid of him, by someone under investigation, seems to a lot of people to be wrong. His loss will be felt by every person who votes in this community.”

Council leader Aaron Shotton released a statement on Thursday defending his actions in removing Cllr Attridge from his post, accusing him of a ‘recent and significant’ case of releasing private information.

However, Cllr Attridge rejected the suggestion and said he was disposed for standing up for a council employee who was dismissed because of a supposed affair with the Labour leader.

Bernie's mum, Pam Attridge

Cllr Shotton is the subject of an ongoing code of conduct investigation regarding his reported involvement with the married woman, who lost her job in October.

He has resisted several calls from opposition leaders to step down from his position while the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales probes his actions.

Cllr Attridge said he felt it was unfair that the woman had been made to leave.

He said: “I voiced serious concerns to colleagues about the dismissal of a female member of staff following a series of newspaper allegations about the conduct of Aaron Shotton.

“I continue to believe that is is grossly unfair that she lost her job while the leader of the council remains in post.

“I make no apology for speaking up for her, I will continue to do so.”

Cllr Shotton has disregarded Cllr Attridge’s claims, saying: “On Thursday, I gave the reasons why I acted as I did in relation to Cllr Attridge. The employment case mentioned by him was not one of those reasons.”

Flintshire Council added: “The council can confirm that Cllr Shotton has disclosed the breaches of confidence he cited as reasons for his actions in respect of Cllr Attridge.

“He did this in order to show those breaches had been acted upon and to protect the council from possible claims.

“From the disclosure made by Cllr Shotton the employment case mentioned was not one of the reasons given.”

Also in attendance at the meeting was Cllr Pam Attridge, Bernie’s mum, who gave an emotional thank you for the show of support.

She said: “As Bernie’s mum I want to say thank you for turning up.”