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Havering Council leader recorded calling protesters “nutters”

One of the many signs previously displayed by protesters outside Havering Town Hall

The leader of Havering Council says he feels vindicated in calling a group of residents “nutters” in a conversation that was recorded without his knowledge.

Damian White made the comment to Bob Perry, a former Conservative councillor who has since left the party to become an independent.

In the recording, the pair appear to be discussing an upcoming protest outside a council meeting.

It is unclear if anyone else was present at the time.

Havering councillor Bob Perry

Prior to lockdown, residents regularly gathered outside Havering Town Hall on the evening of full council meetings to make their feelings known on several issues, primarily car parking and housing.

During the recording, Cllr White mentions one of the protest leaders by name and tells Cllr Perry: “We’re gonna have all the nutters outside again.”

Cllr Perry left the Conservatives in February, citing bullying and changes to free parking as two of the reasons for his decision.

Last month, he released a secret recording of a meeting of Conservative councillors discussing proposed boundary changes.

In that recording, Cllr White could be heard discussing suggestions in ways they could bolster the number of Conservatives who get elected in the borough by changing the boundaries.

Havering Council leader, Damian White

When contacted by Time 107.5 about the new recording, Cllr White said: “It is unfortunate that the illicit recordings made by Cllr Bob Perry continue to be taken out of context. His personal vendetta has led to a misinterpretation of the facts and other groups are using this politically.

“The facts are that I was referring to these people who have been abusive on social media and in person to me and other councillors. A small minority have been involved in different situations such as storming the council building and sending abusive letters to my home. This behaviour has to stop.

“I therefore feel vindicated in calling this group ‘nutters’ as can be heard in the recording. In no way should this be interpreted as something different and I am not referring to the majority of our Havering residents who are law abiding, public spirited and behave in a decent way.”

Cllr Perry has denied that he was the person who made or leaked this recording.

For more on this story, and the latest on our other local and national news, listen to Time 107.5FM

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