Council leader cleared of homophobia allegations

A Derbyshire council leader has been cleared by an investigation of making homophobic remarks against a former Conservative MP.

The Labour leader of Bolsover District Council, Steve Fritchley, had been accused of "repeatedly using" a homophobic slur against Mark Fletcher during the general election, when he was the Conservative candidate for the area.

Fritchley does, however, remain administratively suspended from the Labour Party, whose own investigation into the leader is ongoing and understood by the BBC to be wider in scope.

He told the BBC he was unaware of any further investigations.

Whilst an external council investigation found Fritchley did not have homophobic intentions when he used the term, it did find the leader had breached Nolan Principles of public life "to lead by example in a way that secures public confidence", according to the investigation.

In a statement to the council at a meeting this week, the Labour leader said he would be saying more in January about his future as leader of the council.

He denied to the BBC that he had faced pressure to resign because of the allegations.

The investigation found the allegation related to a government meeting attended by the then Conservative MP for Bolsover Mark Fletcher, and a junior minister who commented that Mr Fletcher looked like "Puff, the Magic Dragon" because of his vaping habit.

‘Puff the magic dragon’ is the title of a folk song released in 1960s.

Fritchley had not been in that meeting, but it was alleged he later relayed the incident in a homophobic context to someone in earshot of a member of the public.

The member of the public later told Fletcher when they met during the general election campaign.

Fritchley told the council that the investigation found "this language was used in the context of reciting details relating to the vaping incident and the fantasy song referred to earlier, and that I did not intend such language to be homophobic".

The BBC understands the allegation centred on the belief held by some that Mr Fritchley's use of the word "puff" was deliberately similar to a homophobic slur.

Fletcher, who was the MP for Bolsover between 2019 and 2024, spoke in Parliament about his sexuality and his experience of coming out at school.

Fritchley was interviewed under police caution on July 5 but it was concluded no further action would be taken.

Fritchley told the council in a statement it was "genuinely not my intention" to be homophobic.

"However, I do accept the findings that this language could be perceived by someone unaware of the context to be homophobic," he added.

"It was unwise of me to use this language at the meeting without explaining the context."

He told the BBC: "I'm not homophobic...anyone that knows me can verify that.

"To me, 'Puff the Magic Dragon' denotes someone who's living in a fantasy world.

"I regret that I repeated it...I regret the damage that's been done to the reputation of Bolsover District Council.

"I ought to recognise that not everybody shares my knowledge, experience, use of vernacular...I am what I am."

He acknowledged to the BBC that the relationship between himself and Fletcher had deteriorated in recent years.

Fletcher told the BBC he would not be commenting.

A Labour Party spokesperson said: “Councillor Steve Fritchley was administratively suspended in June 2024 pending a formal investigation.

"We will not be able to comment any further while the investigation is ongoing.”

Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.