A row over public ‘mud-slinging’ and ‘nasty’ comments has erupted at St Helens Parish Council.
Tensions rose to the surface at the village’s Pavilion on Monday night (13th July) as Councillor Ian Thomson asked for an apology from another representative, Councillor Andy Phillips, accusing the latter of previously making ‘rude’ and ‘incorrect’ remarks towards him.
Cllr Phillips in turn said he had not mentioned any names and had asked if a councillor involved in ‘mud-slinging publicly’ would care to be ‘honest and upright’ about it.
Before voices were raised and chair Councillor Stephen Dyer intervened, Cllr Thomson read out a statement:
“Cllr Phillips raises an issue of derogatory comments on social media from one councillor about another councillor.
“He feels this does not represent the parish council in a good light. He personally would like any differences to be addressed directly and away from the public gaze.
“Then he chooses to do exactly the opposite and make what I found to be his aggressive, rude and incorrect comments in the public gaze, to use his phrase.
“A complete contradiction from his comments in the minutes. These minutes bare no resemblance to the nasty and uncalled for comments made towards me by Cllr Phillips.
Article continues below this advertisement “His comments really upset me and made me consider my role as a parish councillor.”
Cllr Thomson said he suspected this was Cllr Phillips’s intention and later added he wasn’t ‘bothered’ what the latter says.
Cllr Phillips responded:
“I would like to make it clear for the record – I didn’t mention any names. What I would say is if the cap fits then etc…I asked if the councillor involved in mud-slinging publicly would care to be honest and upright about it and come out and show his face – and nobody did.
“I’m assuming that means you accept you were the one slinging mud in public because you’re the one that took upset.”
As a heated exchange got underway, chair Dyer interrupted:
“Can I stop you there because this is going to get out of hand.”
Cllr Thomson added:
“Yeah, it will.”
Another member, Councillor Andrew Bradstock, said he felt ‘very uncomfortable’ reading Cllr Thomson’s Facebook comments about Isle of Wight Council leader Jonathan Bacon, who also sits on SHPC.
Cllr Charity Garnett said:
“You (Cllr Thomson) also made comments about me on social media, saying I don’t live in the village and therefore I shouldn’t be having an opinion.
“The intention is to say if you have an issue with other councillors, can we talk about that privately and deal with it face to face rather than airing it publicly on social media.”
Cllr Thomson said he never made any comments about Cllr Bacon as a parish councillor, to which Cllr Phillips said he had photographs of the former’s post referring to Cllr Bacon.
Cllr Phillips added:
“Whether it’s parish or Isle of Wight is a moot point, it makes no difference”.
Chair Dyer subsequently drew a line under the matter.
Oh dear, oh dear, why don’t you just get on with it and get something done, or you are going to prove what a waste of space you all are, just like the others.
Handbags at dawn!
…..then they all put their toys back in the pram and got on filling out expenses forms and opening brown envelopes.
Yet more proof that these Mickey Mouse town and parish councils should be abolished.
I hope that will be “on the table” when the new Hampshire & Isle of Wight Unitary Authority (or whatever it ends up being called) comes about.
These Dibleyesque “councils” are a waste of time and money.
Another example of children being children.
Did dums!
Why or why do we have these usless talking shop parish councils, they achieve nothing other than negative island publicity, in st helens alone if they were done away with that wiuld save every household 70 pounds a year in council tax.