Livingstone deputy mayor Adam Belot cleared by OIA in relation to three complaints

The council watchdog has finalised its investigations into three complaints it received about councillor Adam Belot’s conduct.

Cr Adam Belot.

Livingstone Deputy Mayor Adam Belot has been cleared by Queensland’s councillor watchdog in relation to three separate complaints it received about his conduct – one of which related to the councillor taping a sock over his mouth in a meeting.

The Office of the Independent Assessor notified Cr Belot of its decision following investigations into the complaints made in April, May and June of 2019 – which have been hanging over his head for more than two years.

Speaking on Monday about the outcome, Cr Belot said it was good the matters had finally been “put to bed”.

“Despite initial concerns being raised at the first council meeting of this new council that I was viewed by some as not being suitable because of outstanding allegations against me, this decision has finally put to bed the concerns raised over 18 months ago,” Cr Belot said.

The first matter related to an allegation that Cr Belot had sent an unsolicited text message to the complainant on April 3, 2019, which included a link to a video and online petition about new meeting procedures adopted by Livingstone Shire Council.

Cr Belot fought against what he saw as a reduction in a councillor’s ability to put items/motions on council agendas on behalf of residents.

It was alleged the content of the video and online petition “misrepresented the facts relating to LSC’s new meeting procedures” which were adopted by the council in November, 2018.

Following its investigations, the OIA dismissed that complaint.

The second matter related to an allegation that, over a period of time, Cr Belot had displayed conduct which brought the council into disrepute, and further that he had issued public statements misrepresenting the council on policy and other matters.

That allegation centred around a 2019 media campaign and public petition run by Cr Belot which aimed to overturn the adoption of the council’s Meeting Procedures Policy.

As part of the second matter, it was also alleged that in March 2017, during formal debate to adopt the council’s Media Policy, Cr Belot “inappropriately sensationalised proceedings” by taping a sock to his mouth and claiming the policy was aimed at “gagging” him from speaking out on behalf of the community.

In relation to the sock incident, the OIA in its correspondence to Cr Belot on the decision, noted the chair of the meeting had formally reprimanded him for inappropriate conduct at the meeting.

The OIA did not proceed with this allegation as it considered the conduct had already been appropriately dealt with.

In relation to the second matter as a whole, the OIA decided to take no further action.

The third matter related to an allegation that between February and April 2019, Cr Belot made comments in the media and in an online petition which “misrepresented the facts” regarding the council’s Meeting Procedures Policy adopted in November, 2018, and “adversely impacted” the reputation of the council and the CEO.

After investigations, the OIA decided to take no further action in relation to the third complaint.