Ferryhill mayor denies being 'drunk' at Remembrance event

Ferryhill residents were expecting Town Mayor, Councillor David Farry, to light a beacon as part of a special event to mark the 100 years since the end of the First World War, in the town hall gardens on November 11.

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A press release issued by the council in October, which was also shared on its Facebook page, stated Cllr Farry would make a speech at the WW1 Beacons of Light Ceremony before lighting the beacon at 7pm.

However, Cllr Farry did not carry out the duty, and an official complaint submitted to Durham County Council accuses him of being intoxicated at the service – something Cllr Farry strongly denies.

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Former town councillor and veteran, Brian Gibson submitted the complaint and claims Cllr Farry arrived late to the service “being very unsure on his feet and incapable of talking properly because of his excessive drinking”.

He alleges that a member of staff had to lean Cllr Farry against a wall, that council staff “deemed that it was too dangerous” to allow him to light the beacon and instead asked another officer to undertake the task. Cllr Farry rejects the allegations.

Mr Gibson, who was not at the event as he was attending the national service in London, said he had been contacted by concerned residents the next day and then made enquiries with council staff.

He said: “I find Cllr Farry’s conduct totally unacceptable, he has shown a total lack of respect for those who died so that we could live, shamed the people of Ferryhill and brought the town council into disrespect.”

A witness who did attend the event but did not want to be named told The Northern Echo that Mr Gibson’s claims were correct, adding that Cllr Farry was “drunk” and several people had seen him in pubs throughout the town during the day following the morning memorial services.

The witness said: “Dave Farry had to be helped down the steps and all protocol went out the window.

“He was stood with two guys and the clergy was told not to let him speak or to hand him the torch to light the beacon.

“He nearly rolled into a flower bed, there’s no denying he was unfit through drink.”

Mr Gibson has also written to each town councillor calling for Cllr Farry to stand down, a stance backed by Durham County Councillor for Ferryhill, Brian Avery, who said his behaviour was “unbelievable”.

“He should resign as he has no respect at all – it’s diabolical,” he said. It is understood residents have voiced concerns to Cllr Avery.

However, Cllr Farry said he had decided not to take part in the event as another family engagement had come up that afternoon. He said he had carried out his duties as mayor at a church service and at the cenotaph earlier in the day and then had an event with members of the armed forces where he had a drink.

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Cllr Farry said he then had a last-minute family arrangement to attend and decided not to go to the beacon lighting service but could not contact anyone as the town hall was closed.

However, he said he finished earlier than he thought and arrived at the service about ten minutes late at 6.50pm, but was there as a resident only.

He said he left his chain of office in his car on purpose as he never intended to take part in his role as mayor.

He said: “I certainly was not drunk but I had a celebratory drink with the veterans and serving personnel after the cenotaph service – the accusations are totally unfounded.”

He added: “I attended the event with no chains so I was not representing the town of Ferryhill, I was there as a civilian.”

Cllr Farry said no one spoke to him during the service.

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A spokesperson for Ferryhill Town Council confirmed another officer carried out the beacon lighting but did not want to comment further.

Helen Lynch, Durham County Council’s head of legal and democratic services, said: “I can confirm we have received a complaint against a member of Ferryhill Town Council.

“This is being considered in accordance with the local assessment procedure for code of conduct complaints.”

The complaint follows a row over the mayoral position this summer, when Cllr Farry's predecessor, Councillor Richard Smith, resigned over posts he made on social media about gay people and Muslims.