A DEFIANT Ian Carr says he will not resign following his fracas with rival councillor Tony Hooke.

The stalwart Test Valley Borough Council leader has swatted away suggestions that he might step down, after he pushed and verbally insulted councillor Cllr Hooke in Andover last Wednesday.

The pair were in the High Street for the launch of the Advertiser’s new Keep it Andover campaign when the incident took place.

Police were called after Councillor Carr pushed ex-Ukiper Cllr Hooke before branding him “the biggest ****hole in Andover”.

Hampshire county councillor Hooke demanded his rival resign, saying his actions had fallen “way below the moral standard”.

But councillor Carr, who has held the role as council leader for the past 18 years, says he has no intention of stepping down.

He told the Advertiser: “I’m not resigning. “What I did was for self protection.

It was an automatic reaction when he got in my face. “I realise I made a mistake by removing him from my face, because it is what he has been trying to do all this time. But I won’t resign over this issue, I want to continue with the plans that are in place.”

Since last Wednesday’s bust-up, cross-party support has flooded in for Conservative councillor Carr.

As well as members of his own party, he has been backed by his political rivals, including Liberal Democrat Mark Cooper.

The Romsey based councillor said that despite their political difference, he hopes his long-term colleague will not step down.

He said: “I’ve known Ian Carr since 1987 and over that 30 years he has always been a political rival.

“But, he is committed to the people of Andover and to Test Valley Borough Council.”

As well as his Test Valley counterparts, councillor Carr says he has also received messages of support from friends and rivals across the county.

He said: “I’ve had people from all over get in contact.

“I’ve even had staff from Ukip who were involved with him (councillor Hooke) support me and leaders from across the area.

“Everyone has supported me and that has been great.”

However councillor Hooke has refused to back down over the issue.

The Independent this week reiterated his desire for the council leader to step down, claiming he has lost “all credibility”.

He said: “I think he absolutely should resign. You can’t have civic leaders behave in this way.

“At every step in politics we condemn violence so for a councillor to behave in this way and carry on taking public money as leader of Test Valley Borough Council is totally unacceptable.

“He has lost all credibility and respect of his community.”

Police have continued their investigation into the fracas this week, while council chief executive Roger Tetstall is believed to have met with Mr Carr on Monday to discuss the incident.

Test Valley Borough Council said it will not comment on the matter.