POLICE could become involved in a bitter war of words between Wark Parish Council and one of its parishioners.

Chairman of Wark Parish Council Coun. Anne Hutchinson claimed this week she had been sent “threatening and bullying” correspondence by local resident Peter Kelway.

Coun. Mrs Hutchinson said she had sought legal advice after being bombarded with scores of letters and emails from Dr Kelway and was advised to make a formal complaint of harassment to the police.

Coun. Hutchinson, who paid for the legal advice herself, claims to have received over 160 emails since January 2015.

Dr Kelway, who was present at the meeting, was asked if he would cease sending emails to councillors, but he maintained the emails he had sent were all in the public interest.

Although he is not a member of the council, his partner, Coun. Sue Connor is, and Dr Kelway told the meeting: “There have been times in the past when the parish council has attacked a person’s character.

“Both myself and Coun. Connor feel we have been treated in this way. It’s a disgraceful way for councillors to proceed.”

He added that he and Coun. Connor had met Northumberland county councillor Rupert Gibson, to find a way of resolving his concerns as to why the councillors felt they were being harassed.

He claimed he has had little response from the council regarding his correspondence.

Dr Kelway complained that he had been named in the minutes from the council’s previous meeting in a way that he felt was libellous and he added: “The council needs to be very careful that what it puts on its website is accurate and lawful.”

In a heated exchange, Coun. Hutchinson assured Dr Kelway that the information would be removed from the website as soon as was practical.

This is not the first time Dr Kelway has been accused of harassment of the parish council.

Back in May, it was claimed he was sending in excess of 60 emails a month to the clerk.