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A Labour councillor who has previously extolled the importance of good conduct has been accused of shouting expletives at Reform canvassers. Mike Sands, who represents Bowthorpe at Norwich City Council, told members they were "all a bunch of fascists" and said they "wouldn't f****ing win" in an upcoming by-election in the ward. Nick Taylor, the Reform candidate in Bowthorpe, described the comments as "disgusting" but said he would not be progressing with a formal complaint to the council.
Mr Sands said the incident was "regrettable" but declined to comment further on the claims made about his conduct. Norwich City Hall (Image: Denise Bradley) The Labour councillor had been quick to criticise fellow councillor Charlie Caine earlier this year when the Green was accused of shouting "Nazis" at a group of women holding a silent vigil in the city centre. At the time, Mr Sands said councillors should not "hurl insults around" or shout at people and said the Green member was "rightfully held to a higher degree of accountability" than members of the public.
READ MORE: Northern landlords leave Norfolk village pub after after spectacular row with locals Mr Sands is accused of using aggressive language while addressing Mr Taylor and his group of Reform canvassers outside Bowthorpe shopping centre at the weekend. Mr Taylor said: "This kind of behaviour has to be called out. It is very undemocratic and would be expected in a Banana Republic - not in Britain.
"However, I will not be making a complaint to Norwich City Council, because Reform are not as petty as some political groups." Nick Taylor (Image: Simon Finlay) Mr Sands said he would not comment on the incident other than to say he thought his behaviour was "regrettable". The conduct of councillors has come under particular scrutiny following the accusations made against Charlie Caine, who was subject to an official police probe and an investigation by Norwich City Council.
However, the authority found there was no breach of the code of conduct as the Green councillor for Mile Cross was "not acting in his role as councillor" at the time of the incident. The by-election was called in Bowthorpe following the resignation of councillor Peter Prinsley, who is Labour MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket. The candidates are Sean Bennett, for the Lib Dems, Richard Lawes, for Labour, Antony Little, for the Conservatives, Tony Park, for the Greens, and Nick Taylor, for Reform UK.
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