Councillor quits after attending meeting on Zoom as he drove lorry
The councillor has left his cabinet position
by Neil ShawA councillor has resigned after he attended virtual cabinet meeting while driving a lorry - but said it's no different to 'twiddling with car radios'.
David Brown, from Boston Borough Council, Lincolnshire, dialled into the meeting on a device that appeared to be mounted to his vehicle.
In the footage, the councillor is wearing a seatbelt and is sat by a window which clearly shows the vehicle in motion - passing trees.
David, who represents Kirton and Frampton in Lincolnshire, admitted that he drove during the meeting and said it was no worse than listening to the radio.
David said: "I regret it, and I regret that I've been vilified on social media with negative comments.
"How far do people want to push people for being a councillor?
"I can see why people would make those comments, but I did pull over, and on Thursday, the last day of my shift, the tacho digi card is uploaded.
"That will prove with the times of the YouTube video that I stopped in a lay-by to connect to the meeting.
"You can see there is a tree next to me that isn't moving."
When asked if David had driven at all during the meeting, he said that he had - but had only listened to the meeting at that point.
He said: "I was just listening - what's the difference between listening to that and your car radio. People twiddle with car radios and what have you, what's the difference?
"There's no different to me waving to a lorry coming towards me
"I have resigned from my cabinet post, because that's what the leader wanted me to do. I think it's probably the wise thing to do.
"I'm not making any more comments because I'm waiting for the outcome of the inquiry. I'm not getting involved with it. "
Boston Borough Council was contacted for comment regarding the cabinet meeting which took place on Wednesday (9).
Lincolnshire Police have confirmed they are investigating a report of a man using a device while driving, but could not confirm it was Councillor Brown.
Many people complained about Councillor Brown's behaviour on the YoutTube video where the meeting was shared.
Craig Dowse wrote: "I’m not sure if the most worrying thing is that a councillor thought he was above the law by being on a Skype meeting whilst driving a 40 tonne vehicle or that the rest of the people on this call didn’t challenge him on this.
"What other crimes would they turn a blind eye to?"
James Collins said: "Shows how most politicians are braindead and stupid - that nobody had the tenacity or balls to call this have-a-go out for driving while attending a Zoom meeting.
"Bunch of amateurs. Hope the strong arm of the law comes down on David Brown."
And user Mark Mark said: "Complete disgrace.
"These people are supposed to lead by example, why hasn't the chair or leader stopped this outrageous dangerous behaviour?"