Max Evidence 3[46]GPRC QoverJMharassingAG 22Jul'12

Max Evidence 3[46]GPRC QoverJMharassingAG 22Jul'12

Chair of GPRC.

At the Cardiff branch meeting on Monday 16th, John Matthews as branch chair waved a copy of the complaints flow chart and said he had approval from GPRC for acting as he did, namely making the branch’s monthly meeting into a 'disciplinary' meeting against my partner Anne Greagsby.  Can you say if you did approve a) use of the flow chart (without Anne being shown it in advance) and b) holding a 'disciplinary hearing' in front of the whole branch?

We saw afterwards that the first line of the flow chart shows a minor complaint from the public would be referred to the member involved and just given a courteous reply.  This is what the branch decided, but after what Anne felt to be a harrowing and degrading meeting.

I attach Anne’s report of the episode below, but would point out in this case that JM refused to stand down from the chair and made biased comments from the chair, even though she informed the meeting that she had put in a formal complaint to the Green Party over his harassment of her, gender bias, etc.  Could you take steps to restrain him from further harassment pending resolution of her complaint against him?

Max Wallis   22 July 2012

----- report on Cardiff GP's "disciplinary" branch meeting, July 2012---- Anne Greagsby

Cardiff Green Party decided at their monthly meeting (July 16^th) to respond to the complainant against my campaigning in Caerau over pavement parking outside schools, by saying the GP takes steps to avoid identifying persons, also pointing out she was parked across the pavement and blocking a dropped kerb at the crossing point - as Green Party policy is opposed to this, local actions on the issue are supported.

Those who proposed to 'discipline' me for allegedly causing distress to the car driver, who was picking up her secondary school child, dropped the matter after most of the 15 at the meeting voted for the above action (after one and a half hours harrowing questioning by several of the14 men and hostile statements from the one woman, the branch secretary).

I asked for a neutral chair as I had put in a formal complaint over earlier harassment from JM.  He refused to stand down and still made several biased statements from the chair..

I said it was unconstitutional to have a disciplinary meeting but JM waved a copy of the complaints flow chart.  I said that procedure was ridiculous; the draft Cardiff GP constitution and the central GP constitution both say discussion and conciliation take place before any resort to 'discipline'.  The branch secretary had refused my offers to discuss the facts.

A supporter of JM (SC) proposed that I and my partner left the room while they discussed what to do next.  That was abandoned on my protest.  I felt it to be a most humiliating and degrading meeting, until the vote to take it as a minor issue and point out to the complainant she was in the wrong.

---------

The correspondence from JM or the Secretary on his behalf is summarised below.  It shows a refusal to copy documents to me and no interest in asking me what happened.   In no way does it reflect GP priority to discussion or conciliation.  I wrote prior to the meeting to branch members for whom I had e-mails, giving my explanation of what happened and showed a picture of the offending car around at the meeting.

10July 2012 -I received another copy sent in the post

From: JOHN MATTHEWS
To: AGREAGSBY <annegre@btinternet.com>
Sent: Tuesday, 10 July 2012, 22:41
Subject: complaint against you

Dear Anne Greagsby

As you are aware a complaint was received from a member of the public to a party officer regarding your conduct during the May 2012 local council election. At the May and June meetings of the Cardiff party you were informed that this item was on the agenda but you did not attend.

This matter will now be dealt with under the disciplinary procedures of the Green party of England and Wales at the next meeting of Cardiff green party.

This meeting will be on ..16th July 2012 at 7pm at the Cathays community centre.

Please make every effort to attend

John Matthews Chair Cardiff green party

29th June 2012 .....In your last email you said you would be unable to come to the next meeting of the Cardiff green party when we hoped to discuss this complaint. It will be on the agenda for July meeting which we hope you will be able to attend.

27th June 2012 I have been informed that 2 people ...seek to become members of the GP. Please inform MW and BC that their membership applications are on hold until after the July meeting. This would apply to anyone joining at a time when we have to deal with a complaint against you. As we would not want new members attending their first meeting when much of that meeting would be taken up with internal complaint issues. .. JM

20th June I hope you can attend the July meeting, as members feel that this complaint should be discussed fully, and what future action,if any, is to be taken by CGP on the matter should be decided then. I am sure you agree that a full CGP meeting, open to all members with detailed minutes is the best way to achieve this.

SB

28th May 2012 You wish to be sent a copy of the complainants letter....we don't feel this would be appropriate at this time. SB &JM

22nd May 2012

...If Sian or I do not get a reply from you by Mon 28th May I must advise you that disciplinary action may be taken against you which could involve your exclusion from Cardiff Green Party SB JM

18th May 2012 you are invited to attend the Cardiff green party meeting 21st May ..to explain your actions .Failure to attend and provide a reasonable explanation for your actions could result in disciplinary action being taken against you....JM

replies from AG on

ñ  18th May

ñ  24 th May

ñ  18th June I would be happy to meet with you any time to discuss this and then we could clear up any misunderstandings.

ñ  21^st  June It is unacceptable that this matter continues to be discussed in my absence. This is NOT the way to deal with a malicious complaint. There is no need for an inquisition or more threats of 'action'.

ñ  1st July 2012

ñ  3^rd  July 2012 to SB - I would repeat my proposal to meet you as soon as possible ...