THE mayor of Hedon and a long-standing town councillor have resigned after claiming to be the victims of a "nasty vendetta" by fellow councillors. Councillors Jim Lindop and Ann Suggitt, who has served the town for almost 35 years, made their dramatic exit following a six-month row which had been rumbling within the Town Hall since the mayor-making ceremony in May.
Community stalwart Mrs Suggitt, in support of the mayor, told shocked councillors she believed the calibre of members had "sadly deteriorated" and that the council had "lost all credibility" as a result.
Mr Lindop claims he and his wife Sue had been left intimidated after repeatedly being snubbed and ignored by five councillors.
He said: "We tried hard to ride it out but it got too difficult for us to continue. We loved being mayor and mayoress and we didn't want to do this, but it has been very hard to sit in meetings and work with people who are not telling the truth and who cannot be trusted."
Mrs Suggit said: "It is sad it has come to this but there is no pride anymore. It is disgusting."
The row started when four councillors refused to attend the mayor-making celebration because they were unhappy with who Mr and Mrs Lindop had invited. Instead, they went for a meal at Alison Hall – next door to where the party was taking place.
Mr Lindop claims at the Mayor's Civic Sunday a few months later, his wife said to Councillor Brenda Goldspink, 'So you're not snubbing us today then?' and that Cllr Goldspink then shouted at her.
He said Mrs Suggitt, who is recovering from bowel cancer, told Mrs Goldspink to be quiet.
Cllr Goldspink has denied shouting at the mayoress and letters backing her denial were sent by other councillors.
Mr Lindop said they were then ignored by some councillors during their civic duties.
Mrs Suggit, who has also withdrawn her support for the Hedon Museum and St Augustine's Church, said: "They have treated Jim shockingly. They have done everything to upset him."
Mr Lindop said: "I cannot work with councillors I do not trust."
Cllr Goldspink and the town clerk refused to comment and Cllr Storr was not available.
Deputy Mayor Councillor John Dennis will carry out mayoral duties until a replacement is elected on Thursday, November 28. The two vacancies will be filled by election or co-option in the new year.
Ex-mayor has lived in Hedon all his lifeJIM Lindop has lived in Hedon all his life. After leaving South Holderness School, he worked as a coppersmith at BP Chemicals until 1975, joining Humberside Fire and Rescue Service as a firefighter at east Hull.
He then moved on to fire safety training at Brigade Headquarters, before becoming station commander of Bridlington, Driffield and Sledmere. He retired in 2007 as a divisional officer group manager and was responsible for recruitment and discipline.
Mr Lindop joined Hedon Town Council in 2010.
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