Councillor disqualified from role less than a month after winning election

A by-election will take place in due course.

Author: Tom FeahenyPublished 21st May 2024
Last updated 21st May 2024

An elected councillor has been disqualified less than three weeks after gaining the role, due to her job as a teacher.

Labour ’s Deborah Vittori was one of two Labour councillors who voters backed in Horfield.

Commenting on the announcement In a statement, Vittori said: “I am shocked, and absolutely gutted, to discover that, because of my job as a teacher in a local authority maintained primary school, the law will prevent me from serving the people of Horfield who put their trust in me.”

A spokesperson for Bristol City Council said: “A notice of disqualification has been published today in relation to Horfield Ward councillor, Councillor Deborah Vittori-Garman.

"It has come to the Council’s attention that Councillor Vittori-Garman holds a position as a paid employee of Bristol City Council, which disqualifies her from holding office as a councillor."

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