A Peterborough councillor who dramatically quit the Green Party last year saying it was “no longer green” is now at the centre of a storm over her conduct, after an official investigation concluded she may have breached the council’s Code of Conduct.
Cllr Kirsty Knight, who represents the ward of Orton Waterville, stunned colleagues when she announced she could no longer back the Green Party. She declared: “Their beliefs don’t coincide with mine anymore. I don’t believe the party is green anymore.”
The 42-year-old mother of two insisted she would carry on serving her ward as an independent councillor.
Knight now finds herself facing serious questions about her behaviour, after a complaint made by a member of the public spiralled into a full-scale investigation and an upcoming hearing at Peterborough City Council.
From campaigner to councillor
She was elected in 2021 under the Green Party banner, with campaign literature promising to fight for cleaner air, greener housing and a “voice for ordinary people.”
Announcing her resignation, Knight said she had been listening to residents and was convinced she could represent them better without being tied to a party. She told local reporters: “I’m still here to work for Orton Waterville. That hasn’t changed.”
Complaint sparks probe
What did change, however, was her own standing with the council.
In March 2025, a member of the public lodged a complaint about an interaction with Cllr Knight at their home. Though the full details remain secret – the council has suppressed the most sensitive parts of the report – the allegations were serious enough to trigger an investigation.
The complainant accused Knight of:
- Bullying, harassment and discrimination – breaching the rule that councillors must not intimidate or unlawfully discriminate against anyone.
- Bringing her office into disrepute – by allegedly misrepresenting the council in her dealings.
After an initial assessment, council lawyer Graham Kitchen, Head of Legal Services, ruled there was enough evidence for a deeper probe. He also added a further possible breach: misusing her position as a councillor for advantage or disadvantage.
Investigation findings
The case was handed to Ben Stevenson, the council’s Head of Information Governance, who carried out interviews with both the complainant and Knight, along with witness statements and supporting documents.
His conclusion: Knight had indeed breached the Code of Conduct, specifically by bringing her role – and the council – into disrepute.
Stevenson found that her actions during the disputed interaction gave a misleading impression of her authority as a councillor. In short, she made the council look bad.
The finer details of what she said or did remain under wraps. The council has classified the full report as confidential, citing privacy laws.
But the result is clear: the matter is now heading to a Code of Conduct hearing on 1 September 2025, under the Constitution & Ethics Sub-Committee.
The hearing panel
The panel will be asked to decide three things:
- Whether Knight did, in fact, break the rules.
- Why they have reached that conclusion.
- What punishment – if any – she should face.
Sanctions can range from a formal censure to removal from committees, to training orders. In extreme cases, councillors can even be barred from holding senior positions.
The Monitoring Officer, Neil McArthur, has already said informal resolution is “not appropriate.” That means Knight cannot simply apologise and walk away – the panel must make a determination.
What the rules say
Every councillor in Peterborough has to follow the Members’ Code of Conduct, which was updated in 2022. It is legally required under the Localism Act 2011 and sets out standards like honesty, integrity, and treating people with respect.
Breaching it doesn’t usually mean criminal consequences, but it can severely damage a councillor’s career.
In Knight’s case, investigators believe she crossed the line into disrepute – damaging the reputation of both her and the council.
What happens next?
The Constitution & Ethics Sub-Committee hearing will take place at the Town Hall. Evidence will be presented behind closed doors, but the panel’s final decision will be made public.
If Knight is found guilty of breaching the Code, the panel could:
- Issue a public reprimand.
- Restrict her access to council resources.
- Recommend her removal from external appointments.
- Force her to undergo training.
Knight’s silence
Asked why her beliefs no longer aligned with the Greens, Knight previously refused to give details. And on the complaint, she has also stayed quiet, citing confidentiality.
She has not commented publicly on the investigation findings so far.
But ahead of last year’s local elections she wrote: “You deserve a local council that dedicates itself to, and prioritises, the concerns of Peterborough. As your independent candidate, I will be a voice not directed or driven by political affiliations or viewpoints. I will purely be a representative of the people of Orton Waterville.”
