The Earl of SELKIRKasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they advise a local councillor to take if he suspects that anything in the council business is not wholly above board without involving an action for libel.
§ Baroness BIRKThe Government do not issue specific advice on this matter to local councillors. It is open to anyone whether he is a councillor or not to bring any evidence of unlawful practice to the attention of the police or the Director of Public Prosecutions. A local authority member would need to seek private legal advice on how the law of defamation might affect any allegation he makes.
If a councillor thinks a member of the public is suffering an injustice as a result of the council's action he can pass complaints to the Commission for Local Administration who will decide if they have power to investigate them.