11/24/2025
A Cautionary Tale of Code of Conduct Abuse: The Vindication of Darryl Harding Though Welcome - Came Too Late
Shared from the community engagement page
Darryl Harding didn’t ask for much- just the chance to serve his community with honesty and heart. But instead of support, he was met with betrayal. Now, after a long and painful fight, the Supreme Court of Newfoundland & Labrador has ruled that the Town of Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s was wrong to remove him from council. It’s a win, yes, but one that comes too late to undo the damage.
Last week, the Supreme Court of Newfoundland & Labrador delivered a decisive ruling: the Town was wrong to remove Harding from his council seat. The decision came after Harding was ousted in October 2024, following a vote that claimed he was in a conflict of interest.
Justice David Conway said council made a “critical error,” and that their records were “entirely deficient.” They failed to document Harding’s disclosure properly. They broke their legal duty. And yet, they punished him anyway.
The court found that while council had the right to revisit the issue, it had no authority to impose penalties. Justice David Conway called the council’s actions a “critical error,” citing “gaping holes” in the record and a breach of statutory obligations to document the nature of Harding’s alleged conflict.
But vindication, though welcome, came too late.
Harding had already endured months of public scrutiny, isolation, and financial and emotional distress. He was blamed for causing upheaval in the town, while the real source of drama and financial stress - Individuals filling unfounded complaints - was overlooked.
Among the three code of conduct complaints lodged against him, one falsely alleged sexual harassment. The individual named in that complaint later confirmed in writing that they never felt harassed. Yet the damage was done especially after sexual harassment headlines hit the media.
Meanwhile, there are two ongoing complaints against the former Deputy Mayor and Mayor, filed by a current, and past councillor. Both of these complaints have been dismissed by the accused as “frivolous and vexatious". Perhaps they are, as in Harding's cases. However, unlike Harding, the complainant remains comfortably seated in council chambers.
Beyond the personal toll on Harding, these repeated code of conduct complaints have drained public resources. Each investigation, hearing, and legal battle comes with a price tag, costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. Money that could have gone toward roads, recreation, or community programs has instead been spent fueling political grudges. And the damage isn’t just financial. These complaints destroy reputations, fracture trust, and leave lasting scars on the lives of those targeted.
Harding’s ordeal is proof that when the code of conduct is abused, it doesn’t just punish one person - it punishes the whole town.
This isn’t just unfair. It’s dangerous. When the code of conduct becomes a weapon, good people get hurt. Harding’s story is proof. He’s now seeking pro bono legal help to keep fighting -not just for himself, but for anyone who might be next.
Stay Safe, Be Kind and God Bless
