Harborough councillor sanctioned after Code of Conduct breach
Written by HFM News on 31st July 2026
A Harborough District councillor has been sanctioned after failing to provide an acceptable apology following a breach of the council’s Code of Conduct.
Councillor Mark Graves, who represents Broughton Astley South and Leire, has been removed from all committee appointments – a penalty he has described as “excessive and harsh.”
The decision follows a statement Councillor Graves, an Independent member, made at a council meeting in October 2025, which the council’s Monitoring Officer determined breached the Code of Conduct by failing to show respect to council officers. Further details of the statement have not been made public.
Cllr Mark Graves has been sanctioned by Harborough District Council.
In February, Councillor Graves was told to provide an apology. However, attempts to agree suitable wording were unsuccessful.
The council’s Independent Person subsequently concluded that the proposed apology was not adequate, leading to the matter being referred to the Standards Sub-Committee.
The sub-committee considered the complaint and supporting evidence, Councillor Graves’ response, the Monitoring Officer’s decision, correspondence about the proposed apology, a further statement from Councillor Graves, the views of the Independent Person and Local Government Association guidance on sanctions.
It unanimously recommended that Councillor Graves be formally censured and that the matter be reported to the full council.
Councillors voted to impose the sanction at a meeting of the full council this week, with 23 votes in favour, none against and three abstentions.
The abstentions were from Councillors Rosita Page, Michael Rickman and David Page, all members of the Conservative administration’s Cabinet.
Councillors voted to remove Councillor Graves from all committee appointments until the Annual Meeting in May 2027.
The decision also removes him as Chair of the Services and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel.
Speaking to HFM after the meeting, Councillor Graves said: “I’m concerned and disappointed at being removed from committees over resolvable differences about a simple apology text. The actions of the Council seem excessive and harsh.
“I believe residents will be more concerned that the auditors have refused to sign off the Council’s accounts for three years running now. I am the only qualified accountant out of all the Councillors with professional expertise in scrutinising technical and commercial year end accounts reports.
“I will continue to hold the council to account for its actions and shortcomings over its limited remaining life before the Council is soon abolished by Parliament.”
As Councillor Graves is an Independent member, the decision to remove him from committees had to be made by the full council rather than through a group leader.
