https://i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/article18929110.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_wheel-y-stupid-566190.jpg

Councillor quits after attending meeting on Zoom as he drove lorry

The councillor has left his cabinet position

by

A 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."

https://i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/article18929110.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_wheel-y-stupid-566190.jpg

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?"