'Get into the pulpit' councillor told

East Devon leader accused of bullying

An East Devon District Council member has accused the leader of the council of bullying, and showing no respect to his Christian faith after being told to "get into the pulpit."

This week in an extraordinary consultative meeting, Councillor Mike Allen (Honiton St. Michael’s, Conservative) accused Councillor Paul Arnott (Coly Valley, Independent East Devon Alliance, of bullying the council into appointing a company called Verita to conduct an investigation into the council's handling of a process in which former member, sex offender John Humphreys, was appointed as an alderman after he had left the council.

Cllr Allen said he felt “railroaded” and that the decision [had] "been sorted out in advance.”

He told the meeting: “Clearly the leader has indicated to his entire group that’s the way they’re going to vote," and that he thought they were all being bullied.

Cllr Paul Hayward (Yarty, Independent East Devon Alliance), deputy leader of the council, cut in to invite Cllr Allen to withdraw his statement, labelling the accusation “unfounded”.

The leader, Cllr Arnott, called Cllr Allen’s statement “crap," telling Cllr Allen “you claim to be a Christian, please end this.”

Cllr Allen said he felt bullied by the leader and deputy leader's responses.

Referring once more to Cllr Allen's faith, the council leader told him to “get into the pulpit and tell us that next weekend.”

Cllr Allen took offence. “I think we’re in a situation where there is clear disrespect of my Christian beliefs.”

At this point, council chair Cllr Ian Thomas (Trinity, Independent) closed down the conversation, telling councillors not to “get diverted” from the matter at hand.