A long-awaited ethics hearing into the conduct of Peterborough City Councillor Kirsty Knight has been unexpectedly postponed after the panel ruled it could not proceed without further clarity on crucial audio evidence.
The Constitution and Ethics Sub-Committee, which met on 2 December to consider allegations that Cllr Knight breached the members’ Code of Conduct, adjourned its session until 17 December at 12pm.
The delay centres on concerns raised by panel members over the audibility of part of a Ring doorbell recording central to the complaint.
Confirming the decision in open session, chair Cllr Samantha Hemraj told attendees: “Panel members were unable to clearly hear the complainant’s husband. Officers are requested to provide a transcript of the complete recording as a matter of urgency and that the transcript be shared with all parties before the hearing reconvenes on 17 December at midday.”
The case—already marked by delays, procedural disruption and heightened public interest—relates to a complaint lodged in March 2025 following an interaction at a resident’s home.
An independent investigation led by deputy monitoring officer Ben Stevenson concluded that Cllr Knight had breached the Code of Conduct, including by misrepresenting the council and bringing her office into disrepute.
Both the monitoring officer and the council’s independent person agreed the matter should advance to a full hearing.
The panel convened on 2 December to determine whether those findings should be upheld and what sanctions, if any, should follow.
But the unexpected issue with the audio evidence brought proceedings to a halt within the public portion of the meeting—adding yet another delay to a process already disrupted by a cancelled September hearing and changes to committee membership.
Cllr Knight, who left the Green Party in 2023 and now serves as an independent councillor for Orton Waterville, has made no public comment on the allegations.
The hearing will now resume in two weeks, when the newly requested transcript is expected to allow the panel to continue its deliberations.
