‘Creep’ councillor Jess Glasgow under investigation by council watchdog after ‘appalling’ Bachelorette appearance

The Local Government watchdog has launched an investigation into Noosa Councillor Jess Glasgow’s appearance on the Bachelorette, after it assessed complaints about his behaviour on the show as “misconduct”.

THE Local Government watchdog has launched an investigation into Noosa Councillor Jess Glasgow’s appearance on the Bachelorette, after it assessed complaints about his behaviour on the show as “misconduct”.

The Office of the Independent Assessor this afternoon confirmed that it had received a number of complaints about Cr Glasgow’s appearance on the reality TV show.

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Independent Assessor Kathleen Florian said the complaints would be investigated as a breach of the trust placed in the councillor, based on his responsibility to provide “high quality leadership to the local government and the community”.

“The Office assessed the councillor’s actions as misconduct rather than the lower level of inappropriate conduct,” she said.

As part of the investigation, the OIA will put together a brief of evidence which will be presented to the Councillor Conduct Tribunal.

The tribunal will then determine if it will sustain the allegations made about Cr Glasgow, who will also be given an opportunity to respond during the investigation process.

Cr Jess Glasgow apologise to Noosa resident Chris outside Noosa Council Chambers. Picture: Lachie Millard

Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the OIA had acted swiftly to assess the complaints, which showed the system was working.

“I understand that the Office of the Independent Assessor has received several complaints and they will be investigated,” he said.

“It’s also important to note that the OIA was established by the Palaszczuk Government to improve integrity and transparency.”

Cr Glasgow was booted off the Bachelorette last night after he made the show’s star, Angie Kent, feel uncomfortable, prompting calls from his own mayor for him to stand down immediately.

Cr Glasgow gets a dressing down from Bachelorette Angie Kent.

Cr Glasgow — who has previously maintained that he hasn’t breached the councillor’s code of conduct — today told The Courier-Mail that he wouldn’t resign, but said he had no explanation for his behaviour.

“I’m appalled the way I acted,” he said.

“It was just a spirit of the moment, off the cuff thing. There’s no explanation for it.

“I was just in a funny head spot obviously with reality TV and I made some very poor judgments. It will never happen again.”

Cr Glasgow said he still believed he had the support of his constituents.

“I’m getting a lot of supportive emails,” he said.

“Every couple of negative emails I’m getting a positive one. I still have a lot of happy constituents that don’t really believe that’s the guy they saw on reality TV — which it’s not.

“I really want to do good by the Noosa people and still make them proud and make sure they know that I’m a dedicated councillor.”

Cr Glasgow said he wouldn’t comment on the OIA investigation while it was underway.

During a two-episode stint on the show, Cr Glasgow spoke of “wandering fingers” and was also shown making licking and biting gestures at Ms Kent’s thighs.

Noosa Shire Mayor Tony Wellington is calling for Cr Jess Glasgow. Picture: Lachie Millard

Noosa Mayor Tony Wellington said the councillor had arguably brought the council into disrepute and had undermined the reputation of the community, describing his behaviour on the show as misogynistic and crude.

“Having now viewed last night’s second episode of the program, I have spoken to Cr Glasgow and told him to seriously consider resigning from his position as Councillor on the Noosa Council,” Cr Wellington said on Friday.

“Whether or not Mr Glasgow was simply performing for the cameras, he showed incredibly poor judgment in allowing himself to be filmed lying, being extremely and consistently disrespectful of women, and outright offensive.”