Council leader is issued a warning

The incident, involving Councillor Graham Holland, took place in the Conservative group's room in the civic offices, Bexleyheath, after a group meeting on January 14.

Cllr Holland, who was on the telephone to a constituent at the time, claimed Cllr Slaughter had threatened him.

"It was a most frightening situation," he said.

Cllr Slaughter told the News Shopper the incident was "complete nonsense", and refused to comment any further.

After talking to his solicitor, Cllr Holland reported the incident to Bexleyheath police which referred it to Orpington police station for investigation by a detective inspector.

Both councillors were interviewed, and the woman who was at the other end of the phone when the incident occurred.

A police spokeswoman told the News Shopper: "We can confirm we received an allegation of threatening behaviour.

"All the parties were interviewed and a 67-year-old man was issued with a warning. There will be no further action."

Meanwhile, following the incident and his suspension from Old Bexley and Sidcup Conservative Association (OBSCA) in January, Cllr Holland resigned yesterday from the council's Tory group.

In a letter to chief executive Chris Duffield, Cllr Holland described the January incident as "unsavoury" and announced he will sit as an independent Conservative until the May elections.

His decision throws the make-up of the council into disarray, creating a 31-31 hung council.

The Tories may have to rely on the casting vote of the mayor tonight (Wednesday) to push through their budget and set the council tax for next year.

Cllr Holland has also announced he is to leaflet all the homes in the Sidcup Central ward, where he was deselected by OBSCA, to see if there is enough support for him as an independent candidate in the May elections, this year.

Cllr Holland says he has already received three offers of financial help if he decides to stand.