Rotten Boroughs : Waveney

Councillor are pillars of the community; outstanding examples of how we should all behave; people who can be relied on to do the right thing...

Well, not it seems in Waveney District Council where Conservative councillor Andrew Draper was arrested and convicted of drink driving and kicking a police officer. He was convicted at Lowestoft Magistrates Court , fined £800 and banned from driving for 2 years.

Now of course the Conservative Party is quite big on law and order, so it's a bit surprising that after Draper resigned from the council’s cabinet, he was backed to remain as a Conservative councillor by group leader Colin Law. It could perhaps have something to do with the fact that the balance of power on the council is on a knife edge?

But, following calls for him to resign or for the Tories to take stronger action, Draper announced last week he had resigned from the Conservative group – although he would remain on the council as an Independent member.

Here's part of what he had to say for himself : "It is not in my character to wilfully attack police officers. I was not resisting arrest, or in any way acting violently. I had been pepper sprayed at close range whilst in the back of the police vehicle. My hitting out was an involuntary act of self defence. I have always and will continue to respect the work of the police in Suffolk.

“In all, this is a deeply regrettable incident, which I want to put behind me and move on from. I intend to remain as a councillor on Waveney District Council, now as an Independent representing my ward. I see it as an opportunity to put something back into the community."

A perfectly natural reaction to brutal police officers needlessly pepper spraying an innocent member of the public, no doubt...

Now you might well think that he should have resigned altogether in disgrace, but none of it! You might also think that Draper's resignation is a bit of a damp squib as although he is no longer a Conservative member he will undoubtedly continue to vote with them. You might well be right!

And just a postscript to this story, Draper was again in trouble just the day after his court appearance when his 'dangerous dog' bit a postman. Apparently, the police had 'strong words' with him about the incident.

"Tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime..."

( You can read more about this story here and here )