Cllr Callaghan said: « I get that tensions are high and people feel strongly. I don’t mind people voicing their disagreements. But yet again we have female Council officers in floods of tears after being ultra aggressively verbally abused and threatened by Reform UK’s Sam Journet. »
Cllr Callaghan added: « It cannot be right that women are shaking and in tears because a thug continues to behave like this, unabated. No wonder he won’t publish his DBS. Once again, Essex Police, Basildon District nowhere to be seen. » But Reform UK hit back furiously, accusing the Labour leader of behaving like a dictator by cancelling elections.
A Reform spokesman said: « Cllr Callaghan has no shame. If he didn’t act like a dictator by robbing thousands of residents of their democratic rights then people wouldn’t get angry. »
Reform Cllr Sam Journet claimed he had been assaulted during the explosive meeting, a claim the Daily Express has been unable to verify.
He said: « After being ASSAULTED by Basildon Council’s hired heavies last night, democracy was killed in an instant by Basildon Labour, without allowing any debate. » Cllr Journet added: « I stood up and delivered my speech anyway, to the amazing residents who turned up. »
Local residents also claimed they were blocked from entering the meeting, with some left standing in the cold.
Joe Wright said: « Cllr Gavin Callaghan then blocked me from entering the full council meeting on cancelling elections at The Basildon Centre last night; alongside elderly and disabled in the cold. »
The extraordinary confrontation comes amid accusations the local council is seeking to cancel upcoming local elections by requesting a delay from the Government.
The move has sparked fury among opposition councillors and residents who claim they are being denied their democratic rights.
The Express contacted the council for comment.
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