The fourth Independent councillor who OnTheWight had been told (although we hadn’t approached him about it) was part of the group planning to overthrow the Isle of Wight council administration has tonight resigned from the Island Independent group.
Following in the footsteps of Cllr Bob Blezzard and Cllrs Richard Priest and Jon Gilbey, a press release issued to the media by Conservative Isle of Wight councillor for Newport West, Chris Whitehouse, tonight explains that Cllr Charles Chapman, the vice-chairman of the Isle of Wight council has resigned.
Chapman: “Increasingly disillusioned”
According to Cllr Whitehouse, the councillor for Ryde South, Cllr Chapman says:
“I have been a loyal and committed member of the Island Independent Group, but have become increasingly disillusioned that several prominent members of the Group appear to have abandoned the principles of openness, transparency and honesty upon which we were elected and that they have instead put personal pride and ambition ahead of the interests of the Island.
“The decision to dispense with Cllrs Richard Priest and Jonathan Gilbey, and subsequently to traduce their reputations in the Island media, were the final straw. The lack of trust, the in-fighting and the personal ambition are damaging the Island and preventing the effective running of the Council. Enough is enough, I have to do what is right and leave the Island Independent Group. I can no longer work with the Leader, Cllr Ian Stephens, and his Deputy, Cllr Steve Stubbings.”
As you’d expect, Cllr Chris Whitehouse, had something to say on the matter (given he wrote the press release). He said,
“Cllr Chapman is widely respected, a man of great integrity and with a real spirit of community service. I’m not surprised that he couldn’t put up with the internal strife of the so-called Independent Group any longer. He has taken a brave step and will no doubt continue to serve with distinction the residents who first elected him to represent them in Ryde South. I salute his courage, honesty and integrity.”
Article edit:
20.9.2014 12.13pm: Removed the words “in an email to all members,” from the first sentence in the third paragraph. This was an editorial error due to misinterpretation of the press release.
