A Bury councillor who made 'disrespectful and inappropriate' remarks during an interview has been found to have breached the town hall's code of conduct.
Coun Roberta Caserta, who represents Pilkington Park ward, has been ordered to complete equality, diversity and inclusion training after he was judged to have brought the council into disrepute last July.
A complaint was made about 'discriminatory questions and remarks' made by the Conservative while sitting on an interview panel to recruit a senior council officer last July.
Following an independent investigation, Bury council's standards sub committee found that Coun Caserta had committed four breaches of the code.
A source told the M.E.N. that while referring to 'litter grot spots' in Sedgley ward - home to one of the largest Jewish communities in the country - Coun Caserta allegedly remarked that 'it would be difficult communicating with residents unless you are able to speak Hebrew'.
The source claimed that Coun Caserta had already asked the interviewee if she would be able to carry out the role due to having two young children.
A complaint regarding the remarks was made by Labour councillor Alan Quinn on July 14.
At a meeting last month, the standards sub-committee unanimously agreed that Coun Caserta had breached the code and that his remarks 'would bring the council into disrepute'.
The panel concluded Coun Caserta's 'conduct showed a disregard for the code'.
It also recommended that Coun Caserta, who serves as the chair of Bury council's overview and scrutiny committee, not be put forward for recruitment panels until he has completed his training, which he must do before the end of June.
He must also offer an 'unequivocal written' apology to the officer.
It is the second time this year that Coun Caserta has been found to have breached the councillors' code of conduct.
In February, the standards sub-committee ruled he had committed three breaches after a complaint was made about comments made during a council meeting on July 8 of last year.
The panel ruled Coun Caserta had 'made a personal attack' on a council officer and that this remarks would 'bring the council into disrepute'.
On that occasion, he was ordered to issue an unequivocal apology to the officer and undergo training in respect of the code.
Coun Robert Caserta has been approached for comment.
