Five minutes after being told \u2018\u2018this matter is to be treated as confidential\u2019\u2019, a controversial Dunedin city councillor revealed he was facing a formal complaint about confidentiality breaches.<\/p>\n
Cr Benedict Ong has again been accused of breaching the Dunedin City Council\u2019s code of conduct.<\/p>\n
He told news media of this development himself in an email he shared at 4.32pm yesterday.<\/p>\n
At 4.27pm, council chief executive Sandy Graham had said \u2018\u2018a failure to respect confidentiality at this point in the process is likely to constitute a further breach of the code of conduct\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n
The complaint was filed by Ms Graham.<\/p>\n
It was about disclosure of confidential information and has been referred to independent investigator Steph Dyhrberg.<\/p>\n
This came just over a month after Cr Ong\u2019s colleagues asked him to consider resigning over an email he had sent about a council staff member.<\/p>\n
Ms Dyhrberg had investigated this and her findings included that Cr Ong breached requirements he should not \u2018\u2018disclose confidential information, criticise or compromise the impartiality or integrity of staff\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n
The latest complaint is understood to relate to information Cr Ong shared about the possibility of a hotel being built beside Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.<\/p>\n
In an email copied to several journalists on April 20, Cr Ong referred to the Russell Property Group as a potential developer.<\/p>\n
It appeared possible this particular disclosure was inadvertent.<\/p>\n
However, the next day, Cr Ong shared a series of emails with the\u00a0Otago Daily Times.<\/p>\n
One involved Cr Andrew Simms complaining to Ms Graham and Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker about Cr Ong disclosing confidential information.<\/p>\n
Cr Simms pointed out involvement of the Russell Property Group had not been disclosed previously \u2014 \u2018\u2018such disclosure may cause them to walk away\u2019\u2019, he said.<\/p>\n
Cr Ong also shared emails by Ms Graham and Dunedin City Holdings chairman Tim Loan about the importance of councillors maintaining confidentiality.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Our ability to engage openly and constructively with council relies on the assurance that commercially sensitive information shared in good faith will be treated appropriately,\u2019\u2019 Mr Loan wrote.<\/p>\n
Dunedin Venues later issued a statement saying the Russell Property Group had been engaged to further develop concept options and undertake a viability assessment for a hotel within the stadium precinct.<\/p>\n
In her complaint, Ms Graham warned Cr Ong against further disclosure.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Please note that given the nature of the complaint, this matter is to be treated as confidential until such time as the investigator has reviewed the material.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018The reasons for confidentiality are to protect council\u2019s legal and commercial position, given the potential liability and commercial loss that has been created by your emails.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
In an email to media yesterday, Cr Ong portrayed himself as a victim of \u2018\u2018false attacks\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n
The code of conduct complaint was a continuation of this, he said.<\/p>\n
Cr Simms told the\u00a0ODT\u00a0last week Cr Ong may have jeopardised $50 million of external investment in visitor accommodation for Dunedin, along with the resultant economic development such a project would bring.<\/p>\n
In an email he did not share with media, but which Cr Ong passed on, Cr Simms said \u2018\u2018the disclosure of this information may be highly prejudicial to the city\u2019s position\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n
Last week, Cr Ong was almost ejected from a council meeting over a stadium hotel reference.<\/p>\n
He appeared to struggle to understand he needed to withdraw an incorrect statement.<\/p>\n