A Slough councillor has been formally censured after a standards investigation found he bullied and harassed staff at a car repair business and improperly used his position.
Upton ward councillor Subash Mohindra was found to have breached Slough Borough Council’s code of conduct during a prolonged dispute involving Bucks Car Repairs in Datchet.
Its standards committee found proven breaches relating to disrespectful behaviour, bullying and harassment and improper use of his position as a councillor.
Mohindra has been formally censured and told to undertake further training on his role. The committee also recommended conciliation with Bucks Car Repairs if the business agrees.
Repair business felt targeted
The dispute took place between April and October 2025, with staff at the garage in The Myrke, Datchet Road, saying they felt targeted and under pressure. Evidence considered by the committee included two videos of confrontations involving Mohindra and staff at the repair business.
In one, Mohindra said he was “higher than an MP”, a remark he subsequently accepted he should not have made. A second video showed him threatening to call the police during another dispute with staff.
The committee concluded that Mohindra had bullied a member of the public and employees at Bucks Car Repairs, had failed to demonstrate impartiality and that he had sought to use his position to secure an outcome wanted by some residents to the disadvantage of others.
Committee finds three breaches
Standards Committee chair Dexter Smith said: “The findings of the standards committee regarding Councillor Mohindra’s conduct are concerning. As elected representatives, we are entrusted with upholding the highest standards of behaviour and treating residents with respect.”
The committee considered Mohindra’s health and its view that he was generally a hardworking and well-intentioned councillor as mitigating factors. Aggravating factors included what was described as limited cooperation and a lack of remorse over the impact of his behaviour.
Smith added: “Councillors should act as a bridge between the community and the council, however this requires understanding the issues in the ward, representing the whole community, including speaking up for the unheard, ensuring that the views of local people are understood by the council to inform decision-making and listening and responding to the concerns of individuals and the wider community.
“This does not involve unreasonably taking the side of one resident over another, threatening to close down legitimate businesses, intervening in private disputes or bullying behaviour such as repeatedly attending premises and requesting that officers attend in a manner that diverts resources inappropriately. Such behaviour has no place in local government, where collaboration and mutual respect are essential.”
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