Cambridge councillor claims he can do his job over Skype after moving 400 miles away to Scotland 'because of Brexit'

Donald Adey is still entitled to £14,500 in expenses
Donald Adey is a Cambridge councillor living in Fife, Scotland
Cambridge City Council
Martin Coulter15 May 2018

A county councillor has faced heavy criticism after moving 400 miles away from his constituency and claiming he "can do his job over Skype".

Donald Adey, a Cambridge councillor living in Fife, Scotland, also blamed Brexit for the move, saying English people were "too right wing" and not as friendly as the Scottish.

Mr Adey recently resigned from the Liberal Democrats to stand as an independent on both Cambridge city council and Cambridgeshire county council.

His position on each council allows Mr Adey to claim expenses of £14,500 in taxpayer money.

He told the Courier: "I am quite confident that I can well cover the needs of the constituents there by using the internet, phone, Skype and such things.

“I’m not the only councillor that lives outside Cambridgeshire. There are others. I think one even spends most of their time in Singapore.

“I decided to move away primarily because of Brexit and the right wing nature of England. That was the biggest prompt...

“When you go to get a cup of tea or a paper from the local shop [in Fife], people actually talk to you. It seems the further south you go, the less people speak to each other.

He added that Cambridge was "lovely" and that moving away did not alter his level of knowledge.

Both local Lib Dem and Labour politicians have called on Mr Adey to resign, claiming he has shown "utter disregard and contempt" for Cambridge residents.

Local Labour deputy Kevin Price said: "Cllr Adey's comments show what utter disregard and contempt he has for Cambridge residents and his duty to represent them as an elected councillor on the city council.

"It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that he is doing this simply to retain his two allowances for the city and county councils but they really should not be used to fund his life in Scotland.

"I know that many in the city, and of course, in Trumpington will feel let down and cheated. He should resign his council seats."

The Standard approached Mr Adey for further comment.

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