Deputy council leader Councillor Robert Woodbridge
A FEUD between councillors became a police matter when one accused another of threatening behaviour.
Swanley Town Council deputy leader Councillor Robert Woodbridge called the police and alleged Hextable councillor Deirdre Morris had threatened to hit him with a gavel.
The Labour councillor claims the incident happened after a development control meeting at the Civic Centre in Swanley on April 30.
He said: "After the meeting finished she approached me and said I had been rude and nasty to her throughout the meeting.
"She then picked up the gavel I was using as chairman and banged it on the desk a few times before saying she wanted to hit me with it."
He says Cllr Morris then put down the gavel before leaving the premises.
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This was at around 7.20pm. Cllr Woodbridge called the police at 8.34pm.
A police spokesman said officers spoke to Cllr Woodbridge the following morning and
decided not to take the matter any further.
Councillor Deirdre Morris has been accused of threatening Cllr Woodbridge
Cllr Morris denies threatening to attack Cllr Woodbridge.
The Tory councillor claims his accusation was motivated by a grudge he holds against her because she was instrumental in Hextable's separation from Swanley Town Council.
Hextable became a separate parish council after elections on May 1.
Cllr Morris said: "He is bitter about the split between Swanley and Hextable because it means a cut in the amount of council tax and funding Swanley gets.
"The split had been discussed for 20 months before the Government made it official and throughout that time he was hostile to me.
"He was rude to me throughout the meeting on April 30, referring to me as you' or her' rather than Councillor Morris'.
"So after the meeting I confronted him and banged the gavel on the desk, but I did not threaten to hit him with it."
The meeting was attended by three other councillors and two members of the public.
Swanley resident John Pearson was at the meeting
and claims Cllr Morris did threaten to strike Cllr Woodbridge.
However, Tory councillor Anne Ellis was also at the meeting and she claims Cllr Morris did not threaten to strike Cllr Woodbridge.
Posted by: Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, Bexley Village on 12:17pm Tue 13 May 08
It all happens in [bold]Swanley[/bold].
I am surprised that [bold]Deidre Morris[/bold] had to allegedly reach for a gavel as it is common knowledge that the majority of residents of [bold]Swanley[/bold] and [bold]Hextable[/bold] are usually tooled-up.
Wonders will never cease.
[bold]Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott[/bold]
It all happens in Swanley.
I am surprised that Deidre Morris had to allegedly reach for a gavel as it is common knowledge that the majority of residents of Swanley and Hextable are usually tooled-up.
Posted by: P Diddy, Pimp Pad on 12:38pm Tue 13 May 08
Word up P diddy in the house, throw yer hands in the air and wave them like you just don't care. Man this reminds me of the beef between Tupac and Biggie (RIP DUDES) and that ended in a drive-by, I only hope this don't end up the same. They need to stop illing and feel the love.
Peace and I'm outta here.
Word up P diddy in the house, throw yer hands in the air and wave them like you just don't care. Man this reminds me of the beef between Tupac and Biggie (RIP DUDES) and that ended in a drive-by, I only hope this don't end up the same. They need to stop illing and feel the love.
Peace and I'm outta here.
Not sure local councillors are 'tooled up' as the lord suggests but they do take care of their own. Hence the comment by one of the public present - he is so far up the backsides of the Labour councillors that he only ever quoted them when he was a hobby reporter for another local paper!
Perhaps more members of the public should be present at these meetings, how are they advertised?
Not sure local councillors are 'tooled up' as the lord suggests but they do take care of their own. Hence the comment by one of the public present - he is so far up the backsides of the Labour councillors that he only ever quoted them when he was a hobby reporter for another local paper!
Perhaps more members of the public should be present at these meetings, how are they advertised?
Posted by: Let's Agree To Differ on 11:26pm Tue 13 May 08
What ridiculous behaviour from both of them. I hope they have read the report and realise what idiots they have made themselves look. What a waste of limited resources. I am sure with crime the way it is the police officers were delighted to spend their time sorting out a pathetic 'childish' squabble.
Run a council? I don't think they are fit to run a raffle.
What ridiculous behaviour from both of them. I hope they have read the report and realise what idiots they have made themselves look. What a waste of limited resources. I am sure with crime the way it is the police officers were delighted to spend their time sorting out a pathetic 'childish' squabble.
Run a council? I don't think they are fit to run a raffle.
Posted by: Mark, Dartford on 10:41am Wed 14 May 08
[quote][bold]Let\'s Agree To Differ[/bold] wrote:
What ridiculous behaviour from both of them. I hope they have read the report and realise what idiots they have made themselves look. What a waste of limited resources. I am sure with crime the way it is the police officers were delighted to spend their time sorting out a pathetic \'childish\' squabble. Run a council? I don\'t think they are fit to run a raffle. [/quote] Here here!Well said.
Let\'s Agree To Differ wrote:
What ridiculous behaviour from both of them. I hope they have read the report and realise what idiots they have made themselves look. What a waste of limited resources. I am sure with crime the way it is the police officers were delighted to spend their time sorting out a pathetic \'childish\' squabble. Run a council? I don\'t think they are fit to run a raffle.
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