A St Martins parish councillor has been suspended from office for up to three months after writing articles in the village magazine about the council and taping then publishing a conversation with the council chairman.Councillor Ron Allison disrupted council meetings and failed to treat colleagues with respect, it was alleged.

He did not appear at yesterday’s hearing of the Standards Board sub committee but today said he worked for the parish and not the parish council and said he would resign.

“I blew the whistle loud and clear on the parish council and look what has happened. I am sick of the lot of them. I have a great deal of support in the community and three other parish councillors.”

The standards committee said it recognised his commitment and hard work but said the councillor had failed to treat others with respect and brought the office of councillor into disrepute.

Investigating officer, Mr Clive Rees, said he investigated complaints from four councillors, the council clerk and two residents with all but one upheld by yesterday’s committee.

Former council chairman, Councillor Philip Holbourn said Councillor Allison had electronically recorded their telephone conversation and then used it in a letter.

Councillor Alison Baseley said Councillor Allison insulted the clerk and other members of the council in the parish magazine.

“I have done my best to ignore Councillor Allison’s behaviour but am tired of having to comfort people upset by him, tired of going to meetings, full of dread because of one person, tired of having to build myself up to open the parish magazine, tired of comparing the cooperative and friendly attitude of the majority with one man’s petty behaviour,” she said.

Chairman of the sub-committee hearing, Martin Bennett said Councillor Allison’s suspension would be shorter if he acknowledged in writing to the standards committee his breaches of the code, was subject to conciliation with St Martins Parish Council and undertook further training in code of conduct.

“It is clear he holds the strong belief that there are issues around the ways in which St Martins Parish Council is managed and organised. However, the Panel finds that the manner and style of language used was inappropriate.”

By Sue Austin