Tea Tree Gully Mayor Kevin Knight agrees to stand down as investigations into alleged incidents continues
“Heartbroken” Tea Tree Gully Mayor Kevin Knight has agreed to take a leave of absence while investigations into alleged incidents involving him continue.
North & North East
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- October 2018: Mayor apologises for shouting at election rival
- August 2019: Kevin Knight slams investigation that found he breached code of conduct nine times
- October 2019: Mayor ‘devastated’ by complaint from council staff member
Tea Tree Gully Mayor Kevin Knight will take an “indefinite leave of absence” amid external and internal investigations into alleged incidents involving him.
Mr Knight, who was asked by elected members on Tuesday night to step down, told The Messenger he would accept the council’s recommendation.
However, Mr Knight will continue to accept his annual mayoral salary of $84,000.
He said he was “heartbroken” by the turn of events but stepping down was the right move.
“It’s devastating,” Mr Knight said. “It’s a difficult decision but in the end it’s the best one.
“There are other people to consider, not just myself. “I’ve given a lot to this city, but this is not good for it.”
Mr Knight said he would email the council’s chief executive officer John Moyle this afternoon that he would take indefinite leave.
“I have no idea how long it will take,” he said of the investigations into his conduct.
The council unanimously approved on Tuesday night to remove him as principal spokesperson from the council pending the outcome of external and internal investigations.
Councillors also voted unanimously to restrict Mr Knight’s access to council staff.
Details as to what this would involve have not yet been released, but the motion states chief executive office John Moyle will move to “restrict the Mayor access to council staff” and some council facilities.
Elected members also unanimously supported a motion to remove Mr Knight as the council’s principal spokesperson.
Mr Knight left council chambers before both motions were discussed in confidence and did not return – but this morning said he was undecided about this next move.
Mr Moyle emailed Mr Knight after the motions were passed informing him of the council’s decision.
The motion said the measures were an “appropriate measure for an ongoing investigation”.
As part of the unanimous motion, Deputy Mayor Damian Wyld was appointed the council’s acting principal spokesperson and Cr Lucas Jones the acting deputy principal spokesperson.
Cr Wyld will also be the council’s nominated delegate for meeting community groups, attending sporting events or other invitational events or meetings where council staff are in attendance.
Cr Wyld said in a statement the council was “committed to delivering positive outcomes for our community”.
“These resolutions allow the business of council to continue while we await the completion of a process,” Cr Wyld said.
Mr Knight said earlier today that elected members had “brought the city of Tea Tree Gully into disrepute”.
“That breaks my heart,” he said.
“I’m sad for them. I believe the motion they have passed is unprecedented in South Australia.
“If they had introduced a simple motion requesting I had to take a leave of absence, I would have seriously considered it.”
The council is investigating an alleged incident on October 2 at the Modbury civic centre involving Mr Knight.
A code of conduct complaint was made by a council staff member.
At the time, Mr Knight said the complaint was “devastating” and had taken a “heavy toll” on him and his family.
The Messenger understands a report from that investigation will be discussed at the next council meeting on March 10.
In August last year, a council investigation by Minter Ellison also found Mr Knight breached the council’s code of conduct nine times.
However, the council voted not to take any further action at the time.