An incident of common assault by an Isle of Wight Councillor against another has been reported to Isle of Wight Police and, News OnTheWight is told, is being investigated by the Isle of Wight Council’s Monitoring Officer.
The allegations have been strongly rebutted by the alleged offender, who claims the accusations are part of a conspiracy against him.
Cllr X and Cllr Y
As the IWC investigation is still ongoing, at this stage News OnTheWight will not be naming the Councillors involved, so as to not influence the investigation. We’ll refer to the alleged offender as Cllr X and the alleged victim as Cllr Y – please don’t speculate who they might be in the comments.
However, there are some details that we can share, including that Police confirm the incident of common assault has been reported to them, but has not been dealt with as a criminal matter. Cllr X was written to by the Police who confirmed to News OnTheWight that the incident would will be held on their system. They have also provided details of their correspondence with the Police (below)
What happened?
It’s alleged the incident took place on 21st January 2022 during a Planning Committee site visit to the former Atherfield Holiday Camp, where Councillors were being shown around the development site prior to the Planning Committee meeting the following week.
The alleged offender, Cllr X, is said to have left the site visit early and we understand is accused of driving his car towards Cllr Y (the alleged victim), with the alleged intention of scaring, or even colliding with him.
Cllr X has strongly rebutted this version of events (see his response below).
Cllr Y: Had to jump out of the way
Cllr Y said he had to jump out of the way of the vehicle to avoid the collision.
Following the incident, News OnTheWight understands complaints were made to the Monitoring Officer, Chris Potter, by several Councillors who were also on the site visit and witnessed the alleged incident. News OnTheWight wrote to the Isle of Wight Council on Thursday morning with questions about the investigation. At time of publishing no response had been received.
Reported to Police
News OnTheWight also understands that when Cllr Y arrived back at County Hall following the site visit, he was advised by an Isle of Wight Council officer to report the incident to the Police.
Hampshire Constabulary have confirmed to News OnTheWight that they were called on Saturday 22nd January 2022 about a report of a common assault that had taken place the previous day at Atherfield Bay Holiday Park.
They said,
“A vehicle was driven towards a 64 year-old man. He stepped out of the way and no-one was hurt.
“The driver was subsequently provided with words of advice by Police officers.”
Police confirmed information about the incident would be held on their system.
Allegations rebutted by Cllr X
News OnTheWight contacted Cllr X three days after the incident took place, asking if he recognised the version of events described above. He replied,
“Total nonsense. I drove out of the car park via a gap between a group of councillors and other parked cars. It was not at speed and there was a comfortable space to get through.”
He went on to say,
“Do you not recognise a campaign of bullying when you see it?”
Cllr X: No contact from Monitoring Officer
This was before the Police got in touch with Cllr X, so News OnTheWight contacted him again later and asked whether he still stood by his first response.
He replied,
“I absolutely stand by my original response. It is total nonsense and is a manifestation of some councillors’ conspiracy against me.
“You may understand that this alleged incident is being investigated by the Monitoring Officer, but it is the first I have heard of that. I have certainly not been asked to respond to any investigation, which is the required practice.”
Eye-witness account
News OnTheWight spoke to one of the other councillors, Cllr Chris Jarman, who was present at the site visit and witnessed the incident. He told us,
“We were gathered in the car park. The planning officer started to go through site security stuff and Cllr Y gave a very quick update [on the planning case].
“Cllr X launched into him, as he does seemingly at every online meeting there is. Another councillor [we’ll label him Cllr Z] – defended Cllr Y. Cllr X then launched into Cllr Z.
“Cllr X then launched back into Cllr Y, got very uptight and upset – furious in fact – stomped off, got into his car, drove forward … fast … towards the group.”
Jarman: “Difficult to suggest intent. He came very close to Cllr Y”
He went on to explain that the car park is a makeshift car park on gravelly surface, adding detail of when Cllr X was in his car,
“Cllr X turned to the left. Thought he was going to be very clear of people maybe? Maybe he thought he was going to be close to them? It’s difficult to suggest intent.
“The grip of his tyres can’t have been as good as they [should] have been. Not surprisingly he came very close to Cllr Y, who stepped out of the way. Shook himself up and roared off.”
Cllr Jarman explained that those present all let out a gasp. He went on to say,
“Nobody was hurt, but it’s one of those things – there but for the grace of God …”
Jarman: Fact Cllr Y had to step out of the way was the defining factor
Asked whether he thought it seemed intentional, Cllr Jarman told News OnTheWight,
“It’s hard to say. You could be very generous and say he was just angry and accelerated too quickly and misjudged the gravel – that would be generous.
“Or you could say he was angry and came too close.
“The fact that Cllr Y had to step out of the way was the defining factor to me.”
So how far was the car from the group when Cllr X first pulled away? Cllr Jarman explained,
“It was about three car lengths. He could have turned immediately left, [but] he came quite far forward [before turning].”
Advice from Police
As previously stated, Cllr X rebuts these allegations. He chose to share the words of advice he received in a letter from the Police Constable dealing with the case, PC Russell Skinner. It reads:
“We recently received a report from Cllr Y in which he alleged you drove a car at him at Atherfield Bay Holiday Park, Brighstone on 21st January 2022. This may be contrary to Section 39 on the Criminal Justice Act 1988.
“After consultation with Cllr Y and careful consideration it was decided that no further action will be taken against you at this time. Please be aware that the stated offence carries a maximum sentence of six months imprisonment and/or a fine.
“We accept your own account of the circumstances may differ and are happy to record this if you wish, however, will make no comment on the truth of either account and the matter will remain filed.”
Cllr X: Allegation is entirely false
Cllr X also shares the response he sent to PC Skinner. It read,
“I am in receipt of your letter of 31 January 2022. This letter has caused me great concern.
“The allegation that Mr Y has made to you is entirely false. I am sure that would be evidenced by any site security camera recordings at the Atherfield Bay Holiday Park building site or anyone not part of Mr Y’s conspiracy against me.
“No doubt Mr Y will claim witnesses to this allegation.
“However, you should note that this is just another in a long line of attacks on me by Mr Y (in his role as an Isle of Wight Councillor) and other councillors. I am sure that if necessary, the IW Council Monitoring Officer would be able to confirm this. These councillors do this because of a controversial planning approval on the Isle of Wight, which they blame me for rather than their own incompetence.
“I am relieved that you do not propose any further action, but I would ask that this letter of response is recorded.”
The officer told Cllr X “the letter has been added to the case file, as requested”.
IWC: No comment
Taking more than a week to respond to our questions, an Isle of Wight Council spokesperson replied,
“The council treats all complaints confidentially and so cannot confirm or deny whether one has been received or reviewed for possible investigation.”
News OnTheWight will update readers once the investigation by the Monitoring Officer has been completed.
Article edit
7.13am 19th Mar 2022 – Refutes changed to rebuts, 2021 corrected to 2022
10.33am 28th Mar 2022 – Comment from IWC added
Image: douglastofoli under CC BY 2.0
