THE TURMOIL within Neyland Town Council has taken a dramatic turn following the leak of an explosive email chain exposing bitter infighting, accusations of bullying, and allegations of misconduct at the highest levels of local government. The emails, exchanged between councillors and the town clerk, reveal a toxic atmosphere of hostility and personal attacks, further calling into question the ability of the council to function effectively.

Shocking accusations emerge

The leaked emails showcase a series of heated exchanges between Cllr Steve Thomas, Town Clerk Libby Matthews, and other members of the council, including Cllrs Brian Rothero and Ellen Phelan. In one of the most explosive messages, Matthews directly accuses Thomas of causing “trouble and destruction wherever you go,” and calls his actions “selfish and disgusting.”

The emails also contain deeply personal attacks, with one councillor being accused of narcissism and others being labelled as bullies. Matthews, in an emotionally charged statement, alleges that the behaviour of certain councillors was so damaging that it led to a period of severe personal distress. She claims she was subjected to relentless criticism and had considered resigning as a result of the hostile environment.

Allegations of mockery and intimidation

The controversy escalates further with allegations from Cllr Thomas that he has been mocked. He accuses Cllr Mike Harry of making derogatory comments and another councillor of saying they would be “happy to see him jump off the Cleddau Bridge.” These claims, if proven, could have serious consequences for those involved.

Cllr Thomas also claims that repeated complaints about mistreatment have been ignored, further intensifying concerns about governance within the council. In one email, he argues that the misuse of council social media to target individuals has exacerbated the toxic culture, accusing the leadership of abusing its position of power.

Battle over legitimacy and power

Another core issue exposed in the emails is the battle over council procedures and the legitimacy of recent meetings. Cllrs Rothero and Thomas insist that previous Extraordinary Meetings were called lawfully, while Matthews and her allies dismiss them as invalid. The emails reveal a power struggle over who has the authority to set the agenda and whether certain councillors are being deliberately shut out of decision-making.

In one particularly scathing email, Matthews refuses to acknowledge Cllr Thomas as a legitimate member of the council, stating, “I am not your clerk. I will not be forced into contact with my abusers anymore.” Such a statement highlights the severity of the fractures within the council and raises concerns over how governance is being handled in Neyland.

The impact on Neyland residents

With the ongoing disputes consuming the council, residents of Neyland are left wondering whether their representatives are capable of focusing on local issues. The email chain suggests that council meetings have become battlegrounds for personal vendettas rather than forums for addressing community needs.

The financial struggles of Neyland CIC, a community interest company that has reportedly lost £82,000, were mentioned in the exchanges but appear to have been sidelined by the ongoing personal feuds. The legitimacy of upcoming council meetings, including the scheduled Ordinary Meeting on February 3, is also in question as tensions continue to escalate.

Calls for intervention

As the email scandal unfolds, there are increasing calls for an external investigation into Neyland Town Council’s operations. Some residents and councillors are demanding that the Pembrokeshire County Council Monitoring Officer step in to assess whether governance rules have been broken and if any members should face disciplinary action.

One thing is clear—Neyland Town Council is in crisis. The leaked emails have lifted the lid on an institution plagued by division, hostility, and a total breakdown in communication. Whether the council can recover from this latest scandal remains to be seen, but the damage to its reputation may take years to repair.