Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
04
Nov
Ripon mayor accuses fellow councillor of lying about police complaint
Ripon mayor Barbara Brodigan accused a fellow councillor of lying in an explosive speech at a parish meeting last night.
Last week former mayor Cllr Sid Hawke claimed he had reported Cllr Brodigan to North Yorkshire Police for supplying a fraudulent resignation letter from him to town clerk Adam Chugg.
But Cllr Brodigan described Cllr Hawke’s allegations as “completely false and defamatory”.
She said:
“I am a teacher and headteacher by profession and currently serve as a governor of three schools in Ripon. My reputation matters deeply to me, and these accusations have been extremely harmful. I have three witness statements lodged with my solicitor that fully support my account of events.”
Cllr Hawke claims he changed his mind about resigning after seeking Cllr Brodigan’s help with compiling his resignation letter.
He has since done a U-turn and thrown his support behind former council leader Cllr Andrew Williams — a move that could see Cllr Williams win back control of the divided council, where the political balance of power is on a knife edge.
Cllr Brodigan said she had previously helped Cllr Hawke when he reported Cllr Peter Horton, the former deputy leader, to police. She told last night’s meeting:
"I supported Cllr Hawke with his resignation letter just as I supported him when he asked for help reporting Cllr Horton to the police earlier on in September.
"I have since contacted the police myself and there is no record of any complaint made against me.”
Speaking afterwards to the Stray Ferret, Cllr Brodigan was equally forthright. She said:
“I am not guilty of fraud, and I am not telling lies. But I’m afraid Cllr Hawke is. That a strong thing to say — to accuse another councillor of lying — but he is lying.”
Ripon City Council clerk Adam Chugg and mayor, Cllr Brodigan, at the parish meeting.
'Toxicity and bullying'
During her speech at last night’s meeting, Cllr Brodigan denied other “false and misleading allegations that have been made against me”.
She denied bullying previous mayor Cllr Crozier or forcing her resignation and claimed she had inherited “chaos” at the town hall rather than caused it.
Under the previous leadership, three out of four administrative staff resigned within a single month, leaving just one person who later went off sick. This effectively brought the council operations to a halt.
Ripon has long had a high staff turnover for a parish council. Staff have raised complaints about toxicity and bullying. Essential staff policies are missing. and the staff handbook is seriously out of date. This is the chaos that I and six other councillors inherited, not created
This is now time for a change. Going forward there will be no single position as leader. Leadership responsibility will be shared amongst all councillors.
We will ensure full transparency and accountability of human resource matters. These reforms will create a safe and respectful environment for staff and councillors alike and help restore the council’s reputation. Together we can make Ripon City Council a place people are proud to work for.
0