Assault allegation at town hall

12:17pm Thursday 17th July 2008

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A ROW between two Conservative councillors at a town hall meeting led to an an allegation of assault, the Radcliffe Times can reveal.

During a heated full council meeting on May 14, held in the council chamber, there was an argument between Church ward councillor Jack Walton and Pilkington Park ward councillor Peter Redstone.

The argument arose after Coun Walton asked Coun Redstone to stop interrupting other speakers at the meeting. When the meeting ended, it is understood that further words were exchanged and it is alleged that Coun Walton pushed Coun Redstone into a wall. Two days later, Coun Redstone made a formal complaint about the incident at Whitefield police station, but told officers he did not want any action taken against Coun Walton, although he wanted the incident recorded.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: “We would describe the alleged incident as a scuffle. A report was made two days after the alleged incident. No further action was taken at the request of the alleged victim.”

Conservative Party leader, Councillor Bob Bibby, said he did not witness the incident and did not receive any complaint and therefore, he had not taken any action.

Coun Walton declined to comment on the issue.

Coun Redstone said: “I am more than happy with the job Coun Walton is doing in his role as Conservative Party whip. He is an excellent councillor and I am delighted with his contribution.”

Coun Redstone is currently at the centre of a row over his refusal to comply with an order by the council’s standards sub committee to apologise to a resident after an exchange at Elms Community Centre in Whitefield in June. As we reported last week, Labour have called for Coun Redstone to be sacked over his resulting comments.