Cllr Denis Healy believes ‘there has been a failure to distinguish between clear leadership and bullying’
Cllr Denis Healy, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on East Riding Of Yorkshire Council
An East Riding councillor has vowed to fight what he believes is an unfair decision after he was cautioned following allegations of ‘bullying’ behaviour. Cllr Denis Healy, the leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition group at the authority, is now formally appealing an internal party complaints panel’s finding that he bullied colleagues.
Cllr Healy was handed a caution after the panel upheld complaints made against him nearly a year ago by two party members. However, the experienced councillor believes there are substantial grounds for appeal, claiming the panel has not considered all the evidence.
“There has been a failure to distinguish between clear leadership and bullying. At the time these matters arose, I was serving simultaneously as Leader of the Council Group, Treasurer of the local party and Election Agent for the 2025 mayoral campaign. Those positions carried significant responsibilities and required difficult decisions to be made, often under considerable pressure and time constraints,” Cllr Healy explained.
“In any political organisation there will be occasions when colleagues disagree with decisions that are taken. However, I do not accept that making or enforcing decisions, providing strong leadership, or holding responsibility for major organisational and campaign activity should automatically be characterised as bullying. For these reasons, and others set out in my appeal, I strongly dispute the findings and believe they should be reviewed.”
Cllr Healy, who has served the Lib Dems for 25 years, also disputes the approach to the mediation service offered by the group, saying he always welcomed the mediation process despite the panel claiming otherwise.
He explained he was frustrated with the investigation becoming public knowledge. He added: “I am disappointed that details of an unresolved internal party matter have entered the public domain before the appeal process has been completed. I have asked that the circumstances surrounding this breach of confidentiality be investigated. I categorically reject allegations that I have bullied anyone. I abhor bullying in all its forms. This is not who I am.”
Did you know you can make Hull Live a preferred source of Hull news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here’s more information about what this means and how to do it – you can also do it straight away by clicking here.
Cllr Healy said he remains fully committed to the Lib Dem group on the council but says he does not have full knowledge of his appeal’s timeline. “It is worth noting that these complaints did not come from members of the council group itself, but from members of the wider local party executive. I believe that I continue to have the confidence of my council group. The appeal has no impact on my council duties, committee memberships or ability to represent residents. This is an internal party process.”
He added: “I entered politics to serve local people, and that remains my focus. While I strongly dispute the findings and am exercising my right of appeal, I will continue working hard on behalf of residents and look forward to the appeal being considered fully and fairly.”
A spokesperson for Yorkshire Regional Liberal Democrats said: “The Liberal Democrats have an independent complaints and appeals process. We are unable to comment while the party’s independent process is still ongoing.” The news of the appeal into the Lib Dem investigation comes shortly after the Lord Mayor of Hull, Cllr Maria Coward, left Hull City Council’s Lib Dem group in August, claiming there had been ‘bullying’ behaviour. Although the two claims of bullying are not connected, Cllr Maria Coward announced her move by releasing a strongly-worded Facebook post against her former Lib Dem colleagues stating: “Members’ behaviour has left me with no choice and now I’m mad, really really mad.”
East Riding Of Yorkshire Council is currently a minority administration, being led by the Conservatives. The authority holds all-out elections every four years with the next planned for May 2027.
To find planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more, visit the Public Notices Portal.