London's Integrity Commissioner has determined that Mayor Matt Brown and Councillor Maureen Cassidy violated council's code of conduct when they engaged in an extra-marital affair.
Gregory Stewart's report was posted to the city's website on Tuesday. In it, he says Brown and Cassidy violated three sections of the code of conduct. But he also says there is little to be gained by any further exploration of the matter.
"The Mayor and Deputy Mayor have each, separately, disclosed that for a brief period of time, they together, engaged in what they have referred to as an inappropriate relationship," Stewart writes. "In light of this disclosure, I believe that to conduct any further search for details would be to engage in an exercise in seeking out the salacious details of the situation - an exercise which, other than satisfying curiosity, would serve no purpose."
In his role as Integrity Commissioner, Stewart has no authority to punish anyone for breaches of council's code of conduct. He can only recommend a reprimand or a loss of pay for 90 days. His report, however, makes it apparent he is loath to do that.
"The Mayor and Deputy Mayor have to a degree by their own choice imposed a suspension of remuneration," he writes. "I am concerned that a proposal for a reprimand may only serve to initiate a prolonged debate over whether a reprimand should be issued and the nature of that reprimand. The end result could well be a further distraction from the City's business."
By having and publicly admitting to their extra-marital affair, Stewart says Brown and Cassidy may have caused irreparable harm to "what many considered to be promising political careers." That, the public criticism, and the impact of their families are far greater consequences than any penalty he could impose on them, he says.
Stewart's full report can be read here.