A single mum was appalled after council staff left a lewd voicemail suggesting she was sleeping with her landlord – when a dozy member of staff FORGOT to end the call.
Jayne Wheeler, 33, received a voice recording from South Ribble Council but the two minute recording continued with a man and woman at the end.
The pair were heard spouting disparaging and untrue comments about the mother-of-one – accusing her of “having if off” with her landlord for free rent.
Shocked Jayne had approached the Lancashire-based council because she needed to adapt her house for her severely disabled daughter Alesha, 7,
The workers have since been suspended – following a red-faced apology from council bosses.
Jayne, of Walton-le-Dale, Lancs., said: “It made me feel sick and very awkward around my landlord.
“I’m a single mum to a severely disabled seven-year-old, Alesha, who needs 24-hour care, and they’re laughing and joking about me.
“These are meant to be officers. I want people to know the way they speak about people behind their backs.”
Miss Wheeler had been dealing with the council over alterations to make her home accessible for seven-year-old daughter Alesha.
The recording was made after a legitimate voicemail was made regarding the work.
But housing officers believed they had hung up the phone – and began talking about Jayne amongst themselves.
The officers can be heard saying, “He thinks she’s having it off with her landlord” and describing the woman as “young, tall, slim, blonde… probably getting free rent”.
The landlord, who has not been identified, said: “I am disappointed that somebody can act so unprofessionally.
“It was a genuine act to help Alesha and it’s been turned into something personal and sordid.”
South Ribble Councillor Michael Green, said: “I can confirm that we are dealing with a complaint about a voicemail message which was inadvertently left on a resident’s telephone.
“The council is in contact with the resident, and we very much appreciate their co-operation in helping us get to the bottom of this matter.
“I apologise on behalf of the council for any distress that has been caused.
“We take matters such as this extremely seriously and have suspended two employees, pending disciplinary proceedings.
“We set very high standards, and are independently rated as one of the best councils in the country for the quality of our customer service. We will take all necessary action to ensure those standards are maintained.”
