Investigation launched after claims South Ribble Councillor verbally abused mum

The mum, who can’t be named for legal reasons, has submitted a formal complaint to the council about the conduct of Councillor Renee Blow, who sat on the council’s General Licensing Committee and was the Older People’s Champion.

It is understood she has since stood down from these positions, but that the decision was unrelated to the complaint.

The mum claimed Coun Blow confronted her about speaking to the Mail on Sunday about the scandal. But while the mum was approached by the Mail, she did not give an interview and her daughter’s identity was not disclosed.

The mum said: “Renee Blow came out shouting at me, saying ‘Why are you doing this? Why put your daughter’s name all over the Mail on Sunday?’

“I was taken aback, she was telling me off like a schoolgirl.

“She was discussing confidential information that she knows from seeing council documents infront of members of the public - and then told me she’d been discussing it all at a social event. I was speechless, in shock.”

Coun Blow, a Tory who represents the Lostock Hall area, declined to discuss the matter.

In the girl’s case, the driver accused of abusing her was allowed to keep his private hire badge for 10 months while on bail. The case was not brought to court because of the girl’s age, but the driver has since had all of his taxi licences revoked.

A fact-finding mission after concerns were raised lead to the uncovering of a number of serious failings in the department.

A South Ribble Council acknowledged a complaint was being investigated.