Neil Wilby Media

One of many controversial elected Members whom sit on Oldham Council is the ward representative for Royton North, Cllr Dave Arnott (pictured above right).

Nicknamed ‘Flash’, from his days in the Royal Navy, he has appeared regularly elsewhere on this Neil Wilby Media website in what is an unattractive portfolio of integrity deficit and questionable ethical and professional conduct (read more here).

Publicly described as ‘not a proper Tory’ by Conservative Party colleagues (read more here), he may now be facing expulsion from the local Conservative Group. along with cross-Party calls already being made for his resignation from the Council after fresh scandal emerged.

Known to like a drink or two, and something of a legend in the Boat and Horses pub in Chadderton, some of his social media output, particularly on the platform now known as ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) reflects that. His strident nationalist views border on the far right of the political spectrum, and align with his obsession with grooming gangs in Oldham and membership of a Tameside-based group of conspiracy theorists whom, appositely, self-style as ‘The Rabble‘ (or Raja’s Rabble). 

All that can, of course, be regarded as political rough and tumble and an exercise of his right to freedom of expression. But three fairly recent posts now drawn to the attention of the author of this article, Neil Wilby, are rather more questionable in the context of a local councillor and corporate parent. Exacerbated by the fact that his wife, Cllr Christine Adams, is also a Conservative councillor and what now appears to be faux campaigning over safeguarding and sexual exploitation in the Borough. 

Alerted by the sharing of these images in local WhatsApp groups, sitting Oldham councillors from the Labour Party, Liberal Democrats and independents, The Oldham Group have all contacted Neil Wilby Media expressing their dismay that a fellow Member would behave in this way, using a social media account unequivocally associated with his own role as an Oldham councillor, and bringing the entire civic chamber into disrepute. A group that includes a substantial number of females and/or Muslims whom are particularly offended by this lewd and inappropriate behaviour.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Arooj Shah, is both – and well known to be devoutly religious and highly averse to such conduct.

Another equally serious concern involves the potential use of Council-supplied electronic devices and data leaks.

One of the more technically-minded councillors says this:

“If, for example, a councillor does casework on their phone, then clicking into this kind of stuff it is a serious data risk. Full of malicious software where sensitive personal details of constituents can easily leak”.

These questions have been aimed at the powers that be:

Another well-known councillor says rather more bluntly: “What a dirty pervert”.

In similar vein, another says: “Puts his wearing of that elf costume at a public event in 2022 into a different context. I think this does make him a proper Tory now!”.

A councillor of many years standing says: ‘”He doth protest too much” springs to mind’.

A CSE abuse survivor has posted on ‘X’ (Twitter): “OMG @davearnott6 is a CSE campaigner” with a link to this article.

Neil Wilby says: “It’s outrageous.. He has to go. No question. Female councillors, including his Conservative colleagues, Cllrs Bethany Sharp and Pam Byrne, whom he sits near or alongside, surely will not want him in the vicinity, playing with his phone and thinking about their breasts or any other part of their body during Council meetings?”

It is understood that at least two councillors are formulating Standards complaints against Cllr Arnott and he has been reported to the Council’s IT Department over the potential data leaks by one of them.

Yet another councillor has, in reasonable and measured terms, speculated at what else might be discovered on his phone that might, at the very least, be embarrassing for his wife and family.

In past circumstances, Cllr Arnott has always denied any wrongdoing, whatever the evidence against him, and he is expected to publicly defend his corner in much the same way over this latest scandal. 

His Royton North ward colleague, the equally controversial Cllr Lewis Quigg (pictured on left below headline), is facing re-election next month, defending a tiny majority. This latest farrago may well cost him his seat. He has a hair-trigger response to any misdemeanours, perceived or actual, that impact on councillors other than Tories. 

Cllr Arnott, along with his wife, have been offered right of reply. The Conservative Group Leader, Cllr Graham Sheldon, has also been asked for a comment or statement.

By way of a declaration of interest, Cllr Arnott has complained, within the past few months, to the Council’s Monitoring Officer that a Labour councillor leaked information to Neil Wilby. It was found that there was no case to answer. ‘Flash’ also complained about the journalist’s criticism of him to the Council’s chief executive. As what was written was all well-grounded, and, effectively, unarguable, that accusation come to nothing, also.

Page last updated: Sunday 7th April, 2024 at 0845 hours

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Picture credits: ‘X’ (Twitter)

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