A heated town council meeting ended in chaos and a call to police on Thursday night (September 24).
Police were called during a Barnoldswick Town Council meeting on Thursday, after council chair Leanne Barrett raised concerns about County Councillor David Whipp filming the session with his own camera.
Cllr Barrett said: "I don’t want [camera] in my face, Councillor Whipp; we are live streaming."
Cllr Whipp replied: "There is a legal requirement to allow filming at any public meeting; anybody can film it."
After being asked to leave and refusing, Cllr Barrett threatened to call the police to remove the former Liberal Democract leader of Pendle Council, who lost his seat there in the local elections earlier this year.
Cllr Whipp, who sits on the town council and remains a county councillor, said: "Chairman, I would be delighted if you called the police and they can clarify my right to film in this meeting."
Cllr Barrett then announced she would adjourn the meeting to contact police.
When officers arrived, music could be heard playing in the background, prompting laughter from the public gallery.
Lancashire Police confirmed they had been called but said "any ejection/removal is a matter for the council". They confirmed that officers did not remove anyone from the meeting.
Part of the meeting itself centred on a formal motion of censure against Cllr Whipp over his alleged improper use of the council’s official email system, namely using his personal email for town council business, and conduct at full council meeting on September 9, which “affected the progress of council business”
Later in the meeting, Cllr Barrett asked Cllr Whipp to consider resigning.
She said: "This council cannot force you to resign. Would you like to consider that voluntary act?"
Cllr Whipp did not respond.
Following the meeting, Cllr Whipp told the Lancashire Telegraph: "The police didn't have to be called. There wasn't any disturbance.
"Police officers have far better things to do, and it was a waste of their time.
"I was filming at the meeting to have a recording of what was said and done. Some issues being discussed were unlawful and tantamount to a witch hunt.
"With conduct complaints and legal action possible, having a record is important.
"The chairman was wrong in trying to stop legitimate recording. She then escalated the issue needlessly."
Cllr Leanne Barrett told the LT: "Cllr Whipp was sitting at the meeting as a councillor and was moving the camera around, including bringing it very close to councillors' faces.
"This was becoming distracting and was affecting the ability of the meeting to continue properly.
"Cllr Whipp has previously mounted his camera in a fixed position to record meetings, so I know that was an option available to him.
"Councillors asked him to move the camera away from their faces, but the recording continued in that way.
"The meeting was being live-streamed by the council, and Full Council considered that the live stream provided an adequate record of the proceedings. Cllr Whipp was asked to stop his own recording, but continued to do so.
"At that point, Full Council resolved that he should leave the meeting. He did not do so, and the disruption continued.
"As Chair, I tried to keep the situation calm and asked Cllr Whipp not to continue and not to put me in the position of having to call the police. Sadly, that was ultimately what happened.
"My job as chair was to make sure councillors could participate and that the Council could get on with the business it had been called to consider.
"I followed the process set out in our standing orders and did what I believed was necessary in the circumstances.
"It was a very stressful evening, and I won't pretend otherwise. I am absolutely fine, and I am very grateful to everyone who has taken the time to check in on me and send such kind messages.
"My focus now is on the positive work the council is doing for our community."
The council has faced ongoing tensions, including the earlier resignation of Town Clerk Joanne Geldard, who raised complaints against three councillors.
In February, Ms Geldard accused Cllr Whipp of failing to protect staff during a safety incident at a public event.
She also said she had been mocked during a meeting, describing it as "the most heartbreaking thing I have ever gone through" during her time with the council.
At the time, a spokesperson for Barnoldswick Town Council said: "The Council offers its sincere apology to Jo for the difficulties she experienced whilst carrying out her role as Town Clerk and for the distress and personal impact those experiences had upon her.
"We also apologise for the inaccurate public commentary made about Jo during her employment and for the effect this had on her personally and professionally."
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