A councillor who referred to an ex-councillor as a “joker” has been given words of advice after an exchange on social media sparked a code of conduct complaint.

The Redcar and Cleveland councillor weighed into a debate online about the former member’s involvement in a council project.

The complainant and ex-councillor posted: “Typical of our council blame everyone but themselves and try to make themselves look good. 

“Can’t wait to get the jokers out.”

The subject of the complaint then replied: “The joker is already out, it was [the complainant].”

A complaint was then made which led to no formal action being taken.

The matter was not referred on for further consideration with council monitoring officer Steve Newton advising the councillor about “their future use of terms of this nature, which might be considered disrespectful”.

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In a report for governance committee members explaining his decision, Mr Newton wrote: “Use of the term ‘joker’ was a potential issue in terms of the code of conduct and the obligation of respect.

“But in these particular circumstances, any breach of the code of conduct was minor and not of the level where any sort of formal sanction would be applied were the matter to proceed to a hearings panel.”

Redcar and Cleveland Council routinely does not name councillors who are subject to code of complaints.