Councillor reprimanded for slapping election rival (From Daily Echo)
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Councillor reprimanded for slapping election rival
3:00pm Saturday 25th February 2012 in News
By Chris Yandell, Chief Reporter, New Forest
Cllr Penny Jackman
ONE of Hampshire’s top Tories has reprimanded a Conservative councillor for slapping a political rival.
Barry Rickman, leader of New Forest District Council, has warned Councillor Penny Jackman about her future conduct. It comes after the councillor ended up in more hot water for posting a letter praising her for slapping an opponent on her Facebook page.
But Cllr Rickman told the Echo: “I’ve told her she needs to learn from this and think more about her actions.”
He revealed that Cllr Jackman apologised to fellow Tories on the council at one of their regular group meetings.
She said sorry when councillors assembled on Thursday night to discuss next week’s budget meeting.
Cllr Rickman added: “Everyone needs to learn from what has happened. Councillors have to be highly responsible in their actions.”
Cllr Jackman is also a member of Lymington and Pennington Town Council.
She was attending the recent Pennington by-election count when she slapped UKIP candidate Mike Beggs during a row about his election leaflets.
They cited a meeting at which she said “Let’s shut the buggers down” during a debate on attempts to evict Lymington Cricket Club from its ground.
Mr Beggs, 72, of Broadmead, Sway, said the blow broke his dental bridge.
As reported in the Daily Echo, Cllr Jackman later published a letter which praises her for striking Mr Beggs and says she should have struck him more forcefully.
The letter, which she posted on her Facebook page, says: “I feel I must write to you congratulating you on your actions. It’s a shame it wasn’t a harder slap.”
Senior Liberal Democrats in the Forest have called for Cllr Jackman’s resignation.
Conservative Campaign Headquarters in London declined to get involved, saying her conduct was a matter for local party members.
Desmond Swayne, Tory MP for New Forest West, which includes Lymington, declined to comment.
Comments(7)
Mr sheep
says...
4:38pm Sat 25 Feb 12
Goldenwight wrote:shocked and horrafied!!! should have been at least two slaps
At the end of the day, she looks like a bit of a slapper, so where is the NEWS?
rightway
says...
6:18pm Sat 25 Feb 12
Although Prosecution is.
This so called politician was quick enough to give an apology to avoid calls for her resignation but, after posting the congratulatory letter, she has shown the apology was totally insincere.
Mr Beggs should follow suit, withdraw his acceptance of the apology and prosecute the crazy hard faced slapper.
Georgem
says...
7:54pm Sat 25 Feb 12
rightway wrote:Why is she a "so-called" politician? If you're a train driver, and I take a disliking to you for whatever reason, do you then become a "so-called" train driver?
Resignation is not a word found in the Tory dictionary.
Although Prosecution is.
This so called politician was quick enough to give an apology to avoid calls for her resignation but, after posting the congratulatory letter, she has shown the apology was totally insincere.
Mr Beggs should follow suit, withdraw his acceptance of the apology and prosecute the crazy hard faced slapper.
rightway
says...
9:09pm Sat 25 Feb 12
Georgem wrote:Fair Point.
rightway wrote: Resignation is not a word found in the Tory dictionary. Although Prosecution is. This so called politician was quick enough to give an apology to avoid calls for her resignation but, after posting the congratulatory letter, she has shown the apology was totally insincere. Mr Beggs should follow suit, withdraw his acceptance of the apology and prosecute the crazy hard faced slapper.Why is she a "so-called" politician? If you're a train driver, and I take a disliking to you for whatever reason, do you then become a "so-called" train driver?
But aren’t this countries politicians supposed to seek solutions through debate and discussions not through violence and intimidation.
Torchie1
says...
9:15pm Sat 25 Feb 12
rightway wrote:If violence and intimidation don't work, they could fall back on gross exaggeration. I heard that she only slapped him because her Kalashnikov had jammed.
Georgem wrote:Fair Point.
rightway wrote: Resignation is not a word found in the Tory dictionary. Although Prosecution is. This so called politician was quick enough to give an apology to avoid calls for her resignation but, after posting the congratulatory letter, she has shown the apology was totally insincere. Mr Beggs should follow suit, withdraw his acceptance of the apology and prosecute the crazy hard faced slapper.Why is she a "so-called" politician? If you're a train driver, and I take a disliking to you for whatever reason, do you then become a "so-called" train driver?
But aren’t this countries politicians supposed to seek solutions through debate and discussions not through violence and intimidation.
J.P.M
says...
10:07pm Sat 25 Feb 12
Goldenwight says...
3:25pm Sat 25 Feb 12