THE EDITOR of a Thurrock newspaper has pledged to respect laws of confidentiality now that he has been elected as a councillor.
Thurrock Nub News editor, Neil Speight, is celebrating following a resounding win as an Independent in Stanford-le-Hope West where he ousted Conservative, Shane Hebb, former councillor responsible for finance, by 643 votes to 511.
Mr Speight said: “The way the results panned out means that the opportunity for a small cohort of non-aligned candidates to influence things by holding the balance of power is diminished, at least for a year.
“I would be less than honest if I said I wasn’t a bit disappointed, particularly as it weakens the opportunity to influence major infrastructure issues.”
Mr Speight will be privy to confidential council papers and will have to balance his role as a councillor and as editor of a news outlet.
He added: “My primary role as councillor is to represent the people in the ward.
“Regarding the issue of confidentiality, I’m not going to be sitting at the top table and I suspect getting information as a councillor may be as difficult as it is as a journalist.
“If I have to make a decision of conscience I will try and do the right thing.”
