Tory councillor probed over 'upsetting' cat remarks

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Thursday, May 21, 2009
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This is SouthWales

SWANSEA Council's Conservative leader, Rene Kinzett, is being investigated after claiming most of his fellow councillors knew less than his cat.

The outspoken politician also branded fellow colleagues "past it".

However, councillors Mary Jones and Wendy Fitzgerald reported him to the Local Government Ombudsman for Wales for breaching the council's code of conduct. They branded his comments upsetting and ageist.

After an initial investigation, an inquiry has been launched by the Ombudsman.

Councillor Kinzett, ward member for Mayals, said the Ombudsman's decision to uphold the complaint was a challenge to freedom of speech. "The investigation is an utter waste of time. I didn't know the Ombudsman investigated the concepts of freedom of speech," he said.

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  • Profile image for This is SouthWales

    by roy, swansea

    Tuesday, May 26 2009, 3:42PM

    “Surely there must be a better way of electing Councillors, this is a prime example how two spoit little girls who have gained a little authority, can so readily waste public's time and money on such trival matters, exactly why are they still allowed to retain their positions within council. This saga just proves how right Cllr Kinzett is in his views. God help Swansea.”

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    by Stephen g, Pontardulais

    Tuesday, May 26 2009, 1:43PM

    “I wonder how the ombudsman is going to assess the state of this cat's knowledge. I hope that it is done in a way that is not discriminatory against cats. After all, all knowledge is equally valid and I doubt that many customers will be as effective at catching rodents.”

  • Profile image for This is SouthWales

    by anon, anon

    Monday, May 25 2009, 4:36PM

    “Ha ha ha. James, Swansea - Will you say anything in favour of the Lib Dems? Some of your comments in the past (esp the grave yard one) have been pathetic and childish but this one takes the biscuit bud.”

  • Profile image for This is SouthWales

    by R. Evans, Marina

    Monday, May 25 2009, 3:04PM

    “If Barack Obama could compare Sarah Palin to "a pig in lipstick" and still get elected President, I'm sure Rene Kinzett can say that some people are "past it" and still get elected.
    As for the complaining councillors, they ought to be ashamed of themselves, wasting tax-payers money on something so trivial. If they get upset and offended as something so simple, they really shouldn't be in politics,”

  • Profile image for This is SouthWales

    by Andy, Swansea

    Sunday, May 24 2009, 12:04PM

    “Oh for goodness sake James, Swansea get a grip. As long as Councillor Kinzett continues to support his electorate he will be re-elected in 2012. It would be an injustice if the Ombudsman to interfere in free speech or political banter.”

  • Profile image for This is SouthWales

    by James, Swansea

    Saturday, May 23 2009, 2:43PM

    “No doubt Rene Kinzett will still hope to have the support of the older members of his Electoral Ward, without whom it is unlikely he would get Elected during the next Council Election. It is this segment of his Ward he will have to appease even in the unlikely event the Ombudsman rules in his favour. There is no doubts that his shameless Ageist comments would have resonated anger within his Ward.”

  • Profile image for This is SouthWales

    by Todd, Lancaster

    Friday, May 22 2009, 10:02PM

    “The Ombudsman himself once called a complainant an 'alley cat'. Are the councillors who submitted this complainant to the Ombudsman stark raving mad? Even my cats got more sense than that! They should be voted out by the electorate as soon as possible.”

  • Profile image for This is SouthWales

    by roy, swansea

    Friday, May 22 2009, 5:31PM

    “This investigation is certainly keeping the Ombudsman in empolyment,perhaps the E.P could find out exactly what this case will cost us tax-payers,then Cllr's Fitzgerald and Jones can be invited to pay for it out of their salaries and expenses.Surely these two Cllrs should be much more professional and have more urgent business to attend to,if not why are they still drawing a salary.This case is a prime example why our City badly needs more mature and professional councillors.”

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    by ERIC, Carms

    Friday, May 22 2009, 4:07PM

    “Well its up to the people of Swansea to vote him out in the next Election. its not the 1st remark he has made about councillors.”

  • Profile image for This is SouthWales

    by Valleyboy, The Valleys

    Friday, May 22 2009, 2:59PM

    “The councillors were upset at being "past it", but didn't complain about "knowing less than a cat".
    That's like someone being called "a little thief" and replying, "I'm not little !!"”

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