Photo: Invercargill City Council/Supplied / LDRInvercargill mayor Tom Campbell is calling for change to his council's code of conduct policy following an investigation into his deputy using foul language which stung the organisation $33,000. On Tuesday, councillors rejected the findings of Anderson Lloyd lawyer Michael Garbett who concluded deputy mayor Grant Dermody had said "you f…ing d..," or "you're a d…head" to a council staffer. The mayor has since taken to social media to say the "ridiculous" cost of the investigation should have been avoided. The incident relates to a February event at Invercargill's Rugby Park where it was alleged Dermody used inappropriate language towards a staff member. Garbett's six-page report included evidence from councillors Dermody, Darren Ludlow, Ria Bond, and the staff member.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 02, 2026 14:42 UTC