A Christchurch councillor facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour is extending his leave.
Deon Swiggs is being investigated by a retired High Court judge. Photo: RNZ / Eleisha Foon
Three complainants, aged between 13 and 21 at the time, say councillor Deon Swiggs engaged in inappropriate late-night social media messaging and insisted on hugs instead of handshakes.
In a statement released this morning, Mr Swiggs said he will be taking a break due to the ongoing assessment of the code of conduct complaints against him by retired High Court Judge John Matthews.
Mr Swiggs had previously planned to take a break until tomorrow.
He said when a decision has been made by Judge Matthews, he will know where he stands and make a further statement.
Three complainants, aged between 13 and 21 at the time, said that Mr Swiggs engaged in "grossly inappropriate" late-night messaging on social media on numerous occasions and insisted on hugs instead of handshakes.
On Friday, Mr Swiggs continued to deny claims of gross misconduct and said he would not be resigning and would continue to stand in this election cycle.
He said he was disappointed by the council's initial slow process for assessing the complaints.
Last week Christchurch City Council acting chief executive Mary Richardson appointed Judge John Matthews to undertake a preliminary assessment of the code of conduct complaint against Mr Swiggs.
The assessment of the allegations is expected to be completed before the local body elections on 12 October.
