Result of Labour inquiry into councillor's social media posts to be announced next week

Conservative and UKIP members demanded the resignation of Ryhope councillor Michael Essl last month, following an admission he had made false allegations about a member of the public.

Coun Essl posted an apology on the same Facebook group, admitting he had made false accusations in the past, and prompting calls for him to quit.

The city Labour party confirmed at the time that it was launching an investigation into Coun Essl’s conduct and wopuld report to members in due course.

Sunderland Labour Group leader Coun Graeme Miller declined to make any further comment on the affair, insisting it was a matter for the party whip’s office.

Asked about the progress of the inquiry, a party spokesperson said today, Tuesday, November 11 : “This is a matter for the chief whip and a determination will be shared with the Labour Group when it meets next week.”

Coun Essl declined to comment when contacted by the Sunderland Echo.

He has been a Sunderland City Council member since 2010, during which time he has represented two wards in the city and been elected to the council three times, most recently in 2018.

From 2010 to 2018 he represented the Barnes ward and he has been a ward member for Ryhope since 2018.

He is currently a member of five sub-committees and was appointed chair of the city council’s Planning and Highways (East) Committee in June 2020.

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