Kempsey councillor Noel Selby has resigned, 15 days after a defiant promise to remain in public office.
Selby’s exit comes after his fellow councillors asked him to quit the council following allegations of social media misconduct.
The background: In mid-April, an account by the name of “Selby Noel” allegedly made the comment “pity he hadn’t bashed you” to a woman on a post in a Facebook group, triggering complaints to the council.
At the time, Selby told the council’s CEO the content had been posted from his social media account without his consent. However, an independent investigation concluded he “did post the comment from his Facebook account”.
Councillors take a stand: At a council meeting on October 20, councillors requested Selby resign from his council role and recommended he engage with a men's behaviour change program.
Councillors also resolved to refer the matter to the Office of Local Government, requesting the department consider suspending Selby for up to three months.
Resignation backflip: In the hours after the meeting, Selby told the Mid North Coaster via email: “I won’t be resigning.”
However, just over two weeks later, the council announced Selby’s resignation on Wednesday afternoon.
“Council’s Chief Executive Officer received written notice from Councillor Noel Selby today resigning from his position as a Kempsey Shire councillor, effective immediately,” council said in a statement.
Selby’s response: Selby declined the Mid North Coaster’s request for comment, saying he would be releasing a statement in his own time.
The exit comes after significant community pressure.
A petition calling for his resignation, organised by a community member, received more than 700 signatures.
Discussing the issue on community social media pages in the days before his resignation, Selby said he would resign “When the majority not the minority tell me to … “.
What next: The now-vacant council spot will be filled via a by-election, which must be held on a Saturday within three months.