Council spat with Brian Silvester

The Christmas spirit was fiery and fierce, it seems, with this announcement received on Christmas Eve, which we held over until today as it did not seem suitable reading on the Big Day itself:

"Cheshire East Council is disappointed that Councillor Brian Silvester has continued to defame a senior professional officer of this council with behaviour showing a lack of courtesy and respect as required in the elected members' Code of Conduct.

"By publishing on Twitter a letter sent to him by the council's lawyers on the instruction of the Chief Executive, Councillor Silvester has perpetuated the defamatory action that has been complained about and it is considered that his action has contravened the conduct required of an elected member.

"He has not chosen to engage with the Chief Executive over this important matter and he has failed to respond to the formal request made to him to apologise to the Council for the remarks he has made on local radio.

"We are disappointed that an elected and experienced member of this council has chosen to politicise what is a professional matter and continues to make his views public despite the council's request for an apology."

AudlemOnline adds: The comments were even fiercer in an email sent earlier on Wednesday by council leader Cllr Michael Jones, who said: "Personally I do not support suing him and wasting Cheshire East residents' money.

"That would benefit no one, especially as Councillor Silvester was left with a £70,000 bill in fines and costs following a court appearance only two years ago.

"When this councillor emerged from court he did not have the decency to resign his council seat, instead choosing to remain a member of Cheshire East Council, carrying his tainted reputation and baggage with him."

No Christmas cards exchanged there, it seems!

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