A newly elected councillor from Reform UK, who has pledged to uphold "honour, integrity and transparency," faces scrutiny following revelations about his previous dismissal from the Leicestershire Police. Andrew Hamilton-Gray was sacked from the force last year after he called in sick to take a trip to Barcelona connected to his classic car sales business—an action deemed a breach of professional standards, including dishonesty and discreditable conduct.
Elected earlier this month to represent Loughborough North West, Hamilton-Gray was among 677 Reform councillors who made significant gains in local elections across England, ultimately winning approximately 40 percent of the vote in his constituency. However, information about his past is raising questions about his suitability to serve in a newly appointed public role.
In early 2024, Hamilton-Gray, then serving as PC Andrew Gray, faced a misconduct hearing that revealed he booked a ferry trip to Spain without securing the necessary leave. Despite explicit restrictions on time off leading up to the King's Coronation, he sought permission to take leave for his classic car business but was denied for the final leg of his journey. Nonetheless, he went ahead and cancelled his shifts, falsely claiming to a colleague that he would return in time for work.
The misconduct hearing concluded that his actions constituted gross misconduct. This included a sick note he produced after the trip, covering his time off for June, and evidence of him driving a vintage Porsche for potential buyers while ostensibly absent due to illness. The panel noted the deliberate nature of his actions, stating that they undermined public confidence in the integrity of the police service. Chief Constable Robert Nixon remarked that such misconduct, albeit from an officer with a long career, could lead to wider doubts regarding police reliability.
Hamilton-Gray's dealings in the automotive industry extend beyond his abrupt dismissal from the force. His LinkedIn profile indicated extensive experience advising high-end dealerships in the luxury car market, a field he appeared to have been engaged in before his police career. However, following his dismissal, his profile has been deleted, suggesting a desire to distance himself from this controversial chapter.
The Reform party, which ascended to become the largest political force at Leicestershire County Council, has recently faced its own controversies, including a heated debate on which flags should be allowed to fly from council buildings. Amidst these discussions, questions have arisen about Hamilton-Gray's capability to represent a party that espouses accountability and transparency, especially after their claim that discipline and integrity must prevail within their ranks.
Although Hamilton-Gray declined to comment when approached for his views on the situation, his future role in the council may be affected by these revelations. The dynamics within local governance are particularly fragile, especially following a significant power shift where the previous ruling Conservative party was ousted from control.
As the newly elected councillor settles into his position, the legitimacy of his promises to serve the public under high ethical standards will likely be scrutinised. This case exemplifies not only the importance of personal accountability in public service but also raises broader implications about the pressing need for integrity within political office.
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Source: Noah Wire Services