BREAKING: A Leicestershire parish councillor has been found guilty of bullying a colleague following an explosive Facebook dispute. Councillor Paul Taylor has breached the Sapcote Parish Council (SPC) code of conduct, according to a recent report from Blaby District Council (BDC).
The incident, which occurred in December 2024, stems from a complaint lodged by fellow councillor Laura Badland, who alleged that Cllr Taylor’s behavior during and after a council meeting was both “aggressive” and “intimidating.” Badland expressed fear for her personal safety, prompting a serious investigation into Taylor’s actions.
The conflict ignited after Taylor made a controversial post on the ‘Sapcote News’ Facebook page, describing passengers in a white van as “foreign.” This led to a heated online exchange and subsequent confrontations at a council meeting. Badland claims Taylor approached her in a threatening manner in a parking lot, resulting in her feeling “overwhelmed and scared.”
During the investigation, Badland detailed a particularly alarming encounter: Cllr Taylor allegedly “charged” towards her, gesturing aggressively. She stated, “I was scared to walk my kids to school and my dogs around the village. I felt anxious to go to the Co-op, for fear of bumping into the councillor.”
Cllr Taylor, who declined an interview but provided comments, defended himself, claiming Badland was equally confrontational. He described her objections as an “absolute joke,” asserting his original intention was merely to alert the community about a suspicious vehicle.
The BDC report confirmed that Cllr Taylor had violated the SPC code of conduct on three counts: demonstrating bullying behavior and failing to treat others with respect twice. Following the investigation, Badland felt compelled to resign from her position, stating, “I was completely heartbroken. I never wanted to leave the council, but I felt I had no other option.”
In response to these developments, the Sapcote Parish Council has expressed its commitment to transparency and fairness, promising to consider recommended sanctions at their next meeting. The council stated, “The Parish Council will formally consider and vote upon the recommended sanctions as laid out by the Grievance and Standards committee.”
As this situation unfolds, community members are left to wonder about the implications for local governance and council conduct. The BDC’s findings highlight the crucial need for respectful discourse within public offices, especially as tensions rise in local politics.
Stay tuned for further updates on this troubling incident, as the community seeks to restore civility in local leadership.
