A ROW over emails sent by the ex-chairman of Sambourne Parish Council have reared their head again as Dr Chris Clews addressed his resignation on his website.
Over the Christmas holidays, Dr Clews wrote a scathing post on the website, claiming whistleblower Philip Bond shared the emails illegally.
He said: “The emails which were made public on August 2 are, in the main, exaggerated expressions by me of disappointment or exasperation – either with the way people behave or how fairness seems to be abused.
“This includes both local matters and wider issues.
“These range from my reaction to a description of the fate of PC Blakelock during the Broadwater Farm riots in the UK, through to expropriation of land on the West Bank.
“My opinions and questions are private – expressed only to friends and those whom I know.
“This included Mr Bond which is how he came to be in receipt of these.”
Mr Bond raised the alarm on emails sent by the chair of the council, Dr Chris Clews, which included racist, anti-semitic and homophobic comments.
An investigation by the monitoring officer at Stratford District Council decided Coun Clews should apologise, but this was not enough for many residents who packed out a parish council meeting on August 2 2021.
In a rowdy meeting, which had to be abandoned, Dr Clews, who represented the ‘north’ area, duly apologised, but later that week formerly resigned from the council as the furore continued.
Mr Bond said he was appalled to find what Dr Clews had written, and said the claims he made were untrue.
“I can honestly say that in more than 30 years in the police force I have never witnessed such arrogance in someone.
“Dr Clews clearly think this is his personal fiefdom run exclusively by white males who do not understand the diverse society we live in today.
“If they are representatives of human society then that disturbs me to the core.”
Dr Clews did use his own personal website for Sambourne Parish Council business but this ceased when he resigned in August 2021 and the comments over the festive season were made on that page.
Sambourne Parish Council created a new official website, entirely under the parish council’s control, after that.
The Parish Council said it had no control over or input into Dr Clews’ website and he alone is responsible for its content.
