A THREATENING email sent by Neyland Town Councillor David Devauden has been revealed, shedding new light on the Clerk’s absence from a chaotic council meeting earlier this week. The email, sent on Monday, February 3, contained intimidating language, personal attacks, and a demand for resignation, raising concerns over bullying and governance within the council.

THE MEETING THAT DESCENDED INTO CHAOS

As previously reported by The Herald, the February 3 meeting of Neyland Town Council was marked by public outcry, councillor clashes, and allegations of dishonesty. Town Clerk Elizabeth Mathews’ absence from the meeting sparked significant tension. Mayor Peter Hay told the meeting that the Clerk had received an upsetting email earlier that day and was too distressed to attend.

At the time, councillors David Devauden dismissed this explanation, with Devauden accusing the Mayor of lying. However, The Herald can now confirm that the email in question was sent by Devauden himself, and its content is shocking.

YOU’RE A DEAD (WO)MAN WALKING

The email, addressed to Miss Elizabeth Mathews, carried the subject line Pre-Action Protocol in regard to Malicious Communications 2003 & Defamation Act 2013, suggesting that legal action was being threatened. However, the body of the email quickly descended into personal attacks and veiled threats.

In one of the most disturbing lines, Devauden wrote, “You’re a dead (wo)man walking.” This phrase is particularly chilling in the context of an elected official attempting to pressure a Clerk into resigning.

He continued by demanding that Mathews issue a public retraction of statements made about him, apologise on social media, and resign immediately from her position as Town Clerk, declaring, “You’re not fit for purpose.” Devauden’s email also included unfounded accusations about Mathews’ mental state, claiming she had “serious mental health issues,” and referring to a rival councillor, suggested she was under the influence of a “control freak.”

CLERK SPEAKS OUT: HARASSMENT CLAIMS AND SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

Following the release of the email, The Herald has reviewed a post made by Elizabeth Mathews on Facebook. This post shed light on her experiences as the Clerk for Neyland Town Council and the alleged hostile environment she has faced.

Mathews accuses councillors David Devauden, Steve Thomas, and Brian Rothero of engaging in prolonged bullying and harassment over a 14-month period. She describes receiving thousands of emails filled with insults, demands, and accusations. Mathews further claims to have been physically and verbally threatened, belittled, and accused of misconduct without evidence.

While Mathews does not name the details of specific incidents in her post, she alludes to a serious allegation against a councillor, currently under investigation by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales. She states, “I have thousands of pages of evidence of this, which I will happily share when I can, but this is all currently under a legal investigation.”

The emotional toll of these alleged actions is evident, as Mathews claims that the harassment drove her to the brink of despair. “At one point, I wanted to die. I could barely get out of bed; they destroyed my sense of worth so much,” she wrote. She also condemned the behavior of some councillors as “vile” and criticized their attempts to undermine her professionally and personally.

COUNCILLORS DEFEND THEMSELVES

In response to the accusations, councillors like Steve Thomas have pointed to the Clerk’s own conduct as a source of concern. In an email thread obtained by The Herald, Thomas , regarding a co-option process. He claims this failure may have been an attempt to influence the outcome of the selection process in favor of Mathews’ mother, who was also a candidate.

Mathews, however, denies any wrongdoing and states that all actions were carried out transparently. She has also expressed frustration with the constant scrutiny and accusations, stating that the councillors’ behavior has caused irreparable harm to her reputation and wellbeing.

PETITION CALLS FOR CLLR MIKE HARRY TO RESIGN

Adding to the council’s troubles, Councillor Mike Harry has been the subject of a petition signed by local residents calling for his resignation. The petition alleges that Cllr Harry referred to certain individuals as “degenerates” in an email circulated among council members. The petition, which states that his remarks were “unbecoming of a public representative,” was handed to him during the previous council meeting on January 16, where the Neyland Council precept was decided.

During this extraordinary meeting, held in the Viewing Gallery at Neyland Community Hub, residents voiced their concerns over Cllr Harry’s conduct. Cllr Harry defended his comments, clarifying that they were directed at individuals associated with a group critical of council decisions, not Neyland residents as a whole. He described the group as a “noisy, irrelevant minority.”

The situation has further divided the community, with some residents supporting Cllr Harry and others demanding his immediate resignation. The controversy reflects broader frustrations within Neyland Town Council and its governance.

POLICE AND LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS

The presence of a Dyfed-Powys Police patrol car outside the February 3 meeting venue now takes on new significance. It is unclear whether police were already aware of the threats received by the Clerk, but the email’s tone could now warrant further investigation under harassment or malicious communication laws.

Under the Malicious Communications Act 2003, it is a criminal offence to send electronic communications that are grossly offensive, indecent, threatening, or designed to cause distress. The line “You’re a dead (wo)man walking” may be interpreted as a veiled threat, potentially attracting police scrutiny.

PUBLIC OUTRAGE AND CALLS FOR ACTION

The public has reacted strongly to the revelations. Many residents have expressed outrage over Devauden’s email and the alleged toxic culture within Neyland Town Council. While Devauden is under investigation, no formal calls for his resignation have yet been made. One resident commented on social media, “This is absolutely disgraceful. We elect councillors to represent us, not to threaten people.”

Another resident said, “I don’t care what politics are involved, telling someone they are a ‘dead man walking’ is not acceptable. Full stop.”

This follows the previous meeting in January where a small group of protestors gathered in the building’s foyer calling for the resignation of Cllr Mike Harry.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

The email’s release has cast a harsh spotlight on Neyland Town Council, with ongoing investigations by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales expected to play a key role in determining accountability. Mayor Peter Hay has yet to issue a formal statement addressing the email or the broader allegations of misconduct.

As calls for transparency and accountability intensify, The Herald will continue to investigate and provide updates on this developing story.

UPDATE 10.02.2025

Ash Phelan said after the meeting “I just wanted to confirm that I did not agree with Mr. Devauden and I am very upset that I have been misquoted. I categorically support Libby, unlike other Councillors.”

He added that a previous report that he was supporting Cllr David Devauden’s point of view was inaccurate