Wyatt says motion to remove him from committees ‘disappointing’

Coun. Russ Wyatt says he is disappointed by a move to restrict his city hall duties following his arrest and sexual assault charge. CTV's Jeff Keele reports.

Transcona City Councillor Russ Wyatt says a motion to boot him from five committees and boards is not the way the situation should be handled.

“It’s disappointing that this is the choice the mayor has decided to go [with],” Wyatt said.

Wyatt made the comments to CTV News during a break of Friday’s East Kildonan-Transcona Community Committee meeting.

“Let the due course has always been said; it’s before the courts,” Wyatt said. “If you look at what the mayor has said before on matters when something is before the courts, it’s before the courts , let it be before the courts, so that’s the approach.”

Last month Wyatt was arrested and charged with drugging and sexually assaulting a man.

“I want to reiterate I’m innocent; it’s before the courts, so I can’t comment.” Said Wyatt

Wyatt ignored calls to step away from his city hall duties while he deals with the charges. Earlier this week, the executive policy committee endorsed a motion from Mayor Scott Gillingham to remove Wyatt from the property and development committee and four other committees and boards.

A final vote goes to council next Thursday.

“I’m going to continue to serve my constituents as I always have, as you can see at the community committee today, and we’ll deal with it next week, which I’ll be voting against,” said Wyatt.

Gillingham and other members of EPC said residents have raised concerns about Wyatt’s attendance at these committees and boards, where in some cases members of the public sit on them.

“It’s a fair question,” said Wyatt.

“But at the same time the idea that you’re presumed innocent applies whether you’re a public citizen or a private citizen.

“So I hear you, but at the same time I’ll just leave it at that.”

Council does not have the authority to kick Wyatt off of the community committee or council.

Wyatt is presumed innocent, and the allegations have not been tested in court.