Dudley Council Leaders’ Personal Insult Row Leads to Formal Standards Complaint

During a full council meeting on 13 July, Dudley Council leader Cllr Patrick Harley (Conservative) told Reform UK councillor Cllr Marco Longhi to “get on my boat back to Walsall.” The exchange followed a social-media post in which Harley called Longhi “the only maggot.” In response, Longhi lodged a formal complaint with the council’s standards watchdog, alleging a breach of the Members’ Code of Conduct that requires respect among elected officials.

Birmingham Mail

The tension stems from earlier accusations. In October 2025, Longhi posted a video accusing Harley of lying about asylum accommodation in the borough. Harley has repeatedly described Longhi as a “bully” and alleged that Longhi “often posts photos of opponents with insults added.” Both councillors have exchanged personal attacks on Facebook, moving the disagreement from policy debate to personal abuse.

Birmingham Mail

Longhi emphasized that disagreement on policy is legitimate but that the “maggot” insult and the “boat” comment cross the line into personal abuse, violating expected standards of conduct. He noted that he has raised concerns with senior council officers about the tone of interactions toward opposition members and that the latest incident prompted his referral to the standards process. Harley, while defending his remarks as a response to Longhi’s earlier accusations, has not issued a formal apology.

Birmingham Mail

Observers within the council have expressed unease about the escalating hostility, suggesting it undermines public confidence in local governance. Some council members have called for clearer enforcement of the code of conduct to prevent future personal attacks.

Birmingham Mail

• “Patrick Harley is entitled to disagree with me, criticise my politics or challenge my performance – even if I'm in opposition. That's part of democratic debate and I have no issue with that. ?” — Cllr Marco Longhi

Birmingham Mail

• “? "Calling me "the only maggot" and telling me in the chamber to "get on my boat back to Walsall ", however, crosses the line from political debate into personal abuse.” — Cllr Marco Longhi

Birmingham Mail

• “Read more: Secret to getting the best of BirminghamLive's stories Cllr Harley said: "Longhi is a bully.” — Cllr Patrick Harley

Birmingham Mail

• “He called me a liar about a subject matter he clearly knows nothing about.” — Cllr Marco Longhi

Birmingham Mail

• “This latest incident reinforces those concerns, which is why I've referred the matter through the appropriate standards process.” — Cllr Marco Longhi

Birmingham Mail