Hartlepool Councillor Facing Calls to Stand Down, Following Assault Conviction.....
- teessidetoday
- Jan 29
- 3 min read
Town Councillor, who formally represented the Hartlpeool Labour Party is facing calls to quit over his criminal conviction for assault.
A former Hartlepool Labour councillor, who resigned from the party after being accused of sexual assault, is said to be facing fresh calls to step down from the role, where HBC Exposed understands a petition has now been launched by a concerned member of the public.
Locals are said to be demanding the resignation of the now Independent Councillor Steve Wallace after he was convicted of Assault by Beating at York Magistrates’ Court earlier this month, a charge that was reduced from Sexual Assault before it went to trial.
The online petition, created by Nathan James Honour, urges the Independent Throston Ward Councillor to resign from his post as he "reflects on his future" within the increasingly 'troubled' Hartlepool Borough Council.
A Controversial Political Career
Cllr Wallace previously served as a Hartlepool councillor over a decade ago before being successfully re-elected in 2023 again under the Labour Party banner. However, just months into his new term, he abruptly resigned from the party following what was officially described as a "falling out" with Labour North.
But sources close to the Labour Party told HBC Exposed that the real reason behind his departure was far more serious—with allegations then emerging that he'd reportedly "inappropriately touched" a fellow Labour councillor at a party. These claims reportedly led to an internal investigation by Labour North before Wallace ultimately walked away from the party, choosing to continue his role as a town councillor only this time as an independent.
From Political Insider to Convicted Offender
Before his scandal, Wallace had deep political ties, having previously worked as a Personal Assistant to former Hartlepool MP Peter Mandelson. He was also a director of a children’s care centre—a role which HBC Exposed understands he was required to stand down from in the light of the allegations against him last year..
In a statement supporting the petition, Nathan James Honour highlighted the alarming issue of violence against women in the UK.
"In 2020 alone, there were approximately 618,000 recorded cases of violence against women in England and Wales (source: Office for National Statistics, UK). We cannot ignore these figures or the disturbing reality they represent."
He continued:
"Hartlepool deserves better. We call on the authorities to take immediate action and remove Steve Wallace from his position. His status as a councillor should not serve as a shield for these egregious actions. As residents, we deserve representatives who respect and uphold our rights—not those who threaten our safety."
Calls for Further Action
Cllr Wallace is now said to be facing demands for an independent council standards investigation to be made against him, which, if pursued, could result in sanctions such as a ban from council meetings or even prohibition from entering the Councils Civic Centre—a similar punishment was said to have been handed down to the now Independent Seaton Ward Councillor Gordon Cranney following his own criminal conviction some two years ago, with the town councillor despite considerable pressure from opposition parties refusing to stand down..
The Lack of Condemnation by both Labour & The Conservatives over the issue is 'frightening'....
Despite the serious nature of Wallace’s conviction, both the Labour Party and Conservatives have all said to have remained eerily silent on the matter, refusing to issue any statement condemning Wallace's actions. Critics argue that this lack of response is deeply concerning, raising further questions about accountability within local politics.
With public outrage said to be growing and the petition gaining traction, the question remains: Will Cllr Wallace do the right thing and step down—or will he attempt to cling to power despite his tarnished reputation?
Petition link
