A SENIOR Tory councillor is facing a disciplinary hearing about comments she made regarding a council zone warden allegedly kicking a homeless person.

Sue Lissimore, who represents Prettygate on Colchester Council, will appear before the governance and audit committee on Tuesday where members will decide whether she breached protocol with her comments during a full council meeting on December 8 and whether she should face any sanction.

At the meeting, Mrs Lissimore asked council leader Paul Smith (Lib Dem) about a video posted on social media alleging a zone warden had kicked a homeless person.

She said: “What action will he take over a situation in St Mary’s car park today at 11am when a Colchester Council employee was witnessed kicking a homeless man who was on the floor of the stairwell?”

After Mr Smith told her he would look into it, she added: “A video was taken after the incident that will identify the perpetrator.”

According to report to be presented to the hearing, Mrs Lissimore criticised the officer’s conduct by bringing up the issue in a public meeting and insinuated guilt by using the word perpetrator.

A council investigation found the warden had no case to answer.

Mrs Lissimore has been referred to the committee at the request of Mr Smith, and council group leaders Theresa Higgins (Lib Dem), Tim Young (Lab) and Beverley Oxford (Highwoods Independents).

She has been asked to apologise for the remarks but in an email reply to Mr Smith and Colchester Council’s monitoring officer she said: “As I still to this date do not know who the alleged perpetrator was, and from the video footage, it is impossible to identify them unless one knew who they were looking for, then I do not feel I have a case to apologise for.”

“As the leader of the council was not aware of the incident even though it had been widely distributed by the general public on social media, I felt it was my duty as a councillor when Colchester Council is brought in to disrepute that the leader should be aware - I still believe it to be true.”

Speaking to the Gazette Mrs Lissimore said: “I’m very disappointed the administration has decided to ahead with a personal attack on me, rather than looking into the problems which are causing homelessness.

“Any investigation takes officer’s time and money.

“I believe the money would be better spent trying to counteract the problem of homelessness rather than going after someone who is trying to help.”

The committee must decide whether the comments amounted to a breach of member/officer protocol, which says members should not raise matters relating to officer conduct in public.