A routine council meeting descended into a bitter and highly charged confrontation, with accusations of illegality, bullying and altered public records triggering a dramatic walkout.
The extraordinary scenes unfolded during a meeting of Tiverton Town Council on Monday, April 20, where councillors clashed over whether Councillor Valerie Bagatelas was legally allowed to remain in her role.
The dispute began when Councillor Tim Bridger (Local Independents for Tiverton, LIFT) raised what he described as a “point of order”, insisting that Councillor Bagatelas had been automatically disqualified for failing to attend meetings for more than six months.
Cllr Bridger said: “This is a point of order about a member here who is not qualified to sit at the table because she’s been disqualified. It is a point of order, you do not have the option to ignore it.
“My point of order concerns Councillor Valerie Bagatelas. She is disqualified as she did not attend a meeting in excess of six months. It is automatic, it cannot be undone by a vote, she is disqualified.”
Mayor Cllr Neal Davey rejected the claim, telling the chamber: “Cllr Bridger that is not a point of order.”
Cllr Bridger responded: “It is a point of order, she should not be sitting here. She’s not a councillor. She’s been disqualified. You have not responded to any questions about her being disqualified. It is incontrovertible that she did not attend a meeting; she is disqualified.”
Cllr Davey replied: “She has not been disqualified.”
The disagreement intensified as Councillor Chris Berry (LIFT) said the council had previously agreed only to “note apologies”, while the mayor cited guidance from Local Government Administration to justify recording and approving absences to prevent vacancies.
The meeting grew more tense when Ana Hendy, a member of the public standing for LIFT in the upcoming election, raised concerns about transparency and public trust.
Ana said: “When we are elected to town council it’s a privilege and it puts us in a position of trust. I think it’s not too much for the public to ask that with this privilege we attend as often as we possibly can.
“The rules are such that if you do not attend a meeting within six months you are automatically disqualified.”
She went on to allege that public attendance records may have been altered, adding: “It’s come to my attention, and I hope it’s not true, that public records have been changed, notably the public records on June 2 attendance.”
Cllr Davey interrupted, saying: “We are not here to have a discussion about that, but the public record has not been altered. The minutes were signed by myself and have not been altered.”
Ana continued: “I am a member of the public, I’m allowed to speak. I have seen those signed records, but that does not mean they were not altered.”
Cllr Bridger, addressing the mayor said: “You don’t get the option to tell the public what they can and can’t ask questions about. That is an abuse of power. It is an abuse of your position. The public have a right to ask whatever question they wish.
Cllr Bridger later escalated the claims, alleging: “The record has been altered. It’s been changed. One of them has changed a legal record, It’s a criminal offence to alter a legal document.
“We cannot continue this meeting if she remains in this room.”
The mayor suspended proceedings for five minutes before issuing a statement reminding councillors of their duty to treat staff and each other with “courtesy and respect” and warning that concerns should be raised through proper channels.
Despite this, tensions continued to rise. Councillor Ben Holdman (Liberal Democrat) accused Cllr Bridger of “bullying and harassment”, saying: “You are bullying and harassing a member of this council, the ruling was made that Cllr Bagatelas remains on the council.”
Cllr Berry responded: “It is a councillor’s duty and obligation to raise concerns where they have found we’re in breach. It is a legal obligation and we cannot be shut down.”
The dispute culminated in a motion to prevent Cllr Bridger from speaking further, followed by an angry outburst.
Cllr Bridger, shouting at the mayor as he walked out said: “What’s the point of this council. You are a disgrace to your position. A disgrace. Full disclosure, BBC News will be hearing about this. This is an absolute outrage. Enjoy your meeting, it’s not legal, and you know it’s not legal. You’re breaking the law, and you are a disgrace to your position. The sooner you resign, the better.”
Several other LIFT members then walked out of the meeting.
After the walkout, remaining councillors expressed concern for staff wellbeing. Town clerk Kathy Atkinson said: “Is danger money an offer for coming into this council chamber? Thank you for your support. We are getting lots of help and support.”
Councillor Beckett Fish (Liberal Democrat) added: “I want to put on record a heartfelt thanks to the officers of the council. I know how hard you work, and you do not have to come into this job and certainly don’t need to suffer intimidation and threats of any kind.
“I really feel it should not be like that. I hope the law is changed. I just want to reiterate that everyone remaining in the chamber feels that.
“I also want to thank Cllr Bagatelas who I know has been suffering and has been terribly ill for the last year and has had all sorts of challenges and personal problems, and issues coming into this chamber. Then when she does get into here, she is intimidated and threatened and it’s not very nice at all to have to operate in that atmosphere.”
The meeting continued with remaining business, including preparations for the annual council meeting scheduled for Monday, May 11.
