Former Mayor's bid to claw back tribunal expenses

Peter Harries says challenging bullying claims cost him thousands

FORMER Mayor Peter Harries is pursuing Hungerford Town Council for his legal costs after he won an appeal against a bullying conviction.

In November last year the Government's tribunal service overturned a ruling in May 2010 by West Berkshire Council's Standards Committee that Mr Harries had broken the councillors' code of conduct by showing intimidating behaviour towards the then town clerk, Jennie Collins.

Mr Harries initially tried to recoup his legal costs from West Berkshire Council.

However, the First Tier Tribunal General Regulatory Chamber rejected that claim.

The judge, Chris Hughes, stated in his ruling: “There tribunal found that (West Berkshire Council) has not acted unreasonably in bringing or conducting the appeal proceedings nor should a wasted costs order be made.

“There were clear grounds for defending the appeal. Although the standards committee hearing the case disagreed with the report of the investigating officer that there had not been a breach of the code of conduct, that was a decision which was formally in their power to make.”

He added: “The decision was made on evidence of a course of conduct by (Mr Harries) which was objectively inappropriate and had caused harm and distress to the town clerk.....the case (Mr Harries) had to answer was of substance and was conducted in a proportionate way.”

Mr Harries confirmed that he was now seeking financial redress from Hungerford Town Council but added: “This is very difficult for me because negotiations are currently underway and I have been advised not to talk about it.

“I was exonerated; I am about £10,000 out of pocket and I should never have been put in this position.”

The Newbury Weekly News understands that the matter has been discussed during a recent council meeting under Part Two regulations which exclude press and public so that sensitive financial information can be discussed.

Town Mayor Anthony Buckland said: “I can confirm that Hungerford Town Council has received a claim which, given its nature, has resulted in the council seeking advice. Only once this advice has been received will the council deliberate and decide what action to take. I have nothing further to add.”