A code of conduct hearing concerning a Peterborough councillor has been postponed until the new year.

Independent councillor Kirsty Knight, who represents the Orton Waterville ward, was the subject of a complaint made by a member of the public regarding an interaction with Cllr Knight at their home.

The city council’s constitution and ethics sub-committee met on December 2 for a code of conduct hearing behind closed doors to consider the matter and determine what, if any, action should be taken.

However, this was adjourned until December 17 to “gain clarity around a point raised by the panel members” according to a Peterborough City Council spokesperson.

Now, the authority has delayed the hearing yet again due to circumstances “outside of the council’s control”.

“The constitution and ethics sub-committee in relation to a complaint made against Councillor Kirsty Knight which was due to take place on December 17 has been cancelled and will be reconvened in due course,” a council spokesperson said.

“This is because of circumstances that have come to our attention very recently which are outside of the council’s control. A further update will be provided in the new year.”

The hearing has been delayed multiple times since the complaint was first received in March this year.

A full investigation into the complaint took place after it was alleged that Cllr Knight had breached a number of aspects of the council’s code of conduct, including bullying, harassment and discrimination.

After the investigation, it was concluded by deputy monitoring officer Ben Stevenson that Cllr Knight had breached the code of conduct by ‘bringing herself into disrepute through her actions, which misrepresented the council’.

The full investigation report was not published by the council due to the possible identification of individuals.

Cllr Knight has denied any wrongdoing throughout the process.

Following the most recent postponement, she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “This hearing has now been postponed four times over the course of 10 months.

“Four times I have prepared myself mentally and physically, only to face yet another delay.

“These repeated delays over such a long period are not just an inconvenience, they have taken a serious toll.

“The stress, uncertainty, and constant postponements over ten months have affected my mental health and wellbeing, and my family has felt the strain too.”