South Tyneside Council leader Iain Malcolm quits Labour Party

Councillor Malcolm, who has been South Tyneside Council’s leader for the last 12 years, has left the party as inquiries continue into his conduct.

A Labour Party spokesperson today, Tuesday, November 17, said: “We can confirm that Iain Malcolm has left the Labour Party but cannot comment further due to an ongoing investigation.”

It is understood that inquiry will continue and the findings will remain on record.

Mr Malcolm is the subject of an investigation into claims from senior officers into concerns about his “actions and behaviours” which left them feeling “fearful, bullied and controlled.”

South Shields Labour MP Emma Lewell-Buck, who has previously called the relationship between the politicians “fractured” tweeted to say it had been confirmed to her Mr Malcolm had left the party and said she will release a full statement later.

Cllr Malcolm has served on South Tyneside Council for 32 years and has chaired a series of committees in addition to his role as a ward member for Horsley Hill.

South Tyneside Council has now confirmed that Iain Malcolm has stood down as both council leader and as a councillor.

His departure will have ramifications across the region, as he holds positions on key organisations, including chairman of the North East Combined Authority, which leads collaboration across South Tyneside, Durham, Gateshead, and Sunderland.

He is also a member of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Board and and the Newcastle International Airport Local Authority Holding Company.

He has previously worked for a Member of the European Parliament and in 1998 was appointed Chief of Staff to the Leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party.

Mr Malcolm has been contacted for comment.

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