George McManus of the Labour Party says Conservative councillor Bryan Pearson overstepped the mark when he tore down their signs in the centre of Beverley earlier today.
The Beverley and Holderness Labour group were campaigning ahead of the general election and local elections in a busy town centre the usual spot Toll Gavel.
Trouble however erupted when the Conservative councillor Pearson took offence at the number of signs that were erected by the Labour group promoting their candidate Margaret Pinder.
Mr McManus claims that Mr Pearson began to cut down the temporary signs that redirected by his party.
The removal of the signs led to a coming together between Mr McManus and Mr Pearson which resulted in the local police being called to deal with the situation.
Mr McManus claims that as the police arrived Mr Pearson left the scene disappearing up Toll Gavel.
Speaking to HU17.net Mr McManus said;
“As Mr Pearson began to take down the posters I approached him. It was this point that Mr Pearson lunged towards me and then struck with his forehead, he then slapped my shoulder with the back of his wrist.”
“His behaviour was totally inappropriate. He is a time served councillor and was in a public place. I feel that his reasons and reactions were totally politically motivated.”
“As you can see there are posters dotted around the town advertising various events including one of the Beverley Arms Hotel.”
“At no point did Mr Pearson try to remove any other posters other than the ones we had placed on the lampposts that we fully intended to remove at the end of our street surgery.”
Recent reports in the press have suggested there is a bullying culture at County Hall in Beverley. Mr Pearson, the party whip for the Conservative Party has been named by some councillors as using inappropriate behaviour during public meetings.
His actions today again bring into question just how public officials in Beverley are behaving not only in public but also behind closed doors.
Mr. McManus added;
“I can stand on the street talk to Graham Stuart no problem. I’ve never seen anything quite like it while holding the street surgery in Beverley. Mr. Pearson’s behaviour today was intimidating, aggressive and harassing, it was totally inappropriate.”
“The matter is now being dealt with by the local police who will ask Mr. Pearson to issue me a full apology which I will accept. I can then draw a line under this ugly and unnecessary incident continue to focus my attentions on the forthcoming elections in May.”
Margaret Pinder Parliamentary candidate for Beverley and Holderness commenting on today’s incident said;
“This is very regrettable and if anyone from my party behaved like this I would take a very serious view. I hope the publicity this will get will ensure behaviour like this does not happen again between now and the elections.”
ABOVE: Sings erected to promote other events in town were untouched by Cllr Pearson
ABOVE: Conservative Cllrs speak to the local police about the incident involving their colleague
Clarification – George made no reference to Cllr Pearson using a knife to remove the posters. I have spoken to HU17 who have accepted this is an error and will amend this article accordingly as soon as possible.
A rare sighting of Irene Charis in the ward she is supposed to represent. Only the third time I’ve ever seen her in four years. Shame about the circumstances.
Bye bye Mr Pearson, this is a bullying tantrum too far. Big egos that need taking down a peg or two..
So he left Elaine Aird and Irene Charis to deal with the police. What a gent!
It’s a shame that the labour party seem to be unaware of the law of fly posting i.e. fastening posters to public places. Fly posting is an offence under planning permission laws , therefore no party should be erecting campaign posters in public places. The person and organisation are liable for fly posting.
Just one point to note, I am certainly not taking sides here but the only comments are from the Labour party, with no mention of the Conservatives point of view!
I have asked Graham Stuart to suspend Bryan Pearson pending the results of the police investigation.
I know that if I did anything similar I would be suspended by the local labour Party immediately, and more than likely kicked out of the Labour Party forthwith
I cannot condone violence ,but cannot quite remember if John prescott was suspended from the labour party for his punch . Perhaps someone else has a better memory .Seem to recall tony blair saying something about john being John though as if we had to expect it from him.
Was john Prescott’s punch self defence after being attacked?
Most politicians usually refrain from hitting voters even if assaulted by an egg.
Did it get to court ?