A PARISH council chairman decided to get tough when a fellow councillor failed to declare an interest in a new sports centre - by calling the police!

Peter MacGregor, 70, told parish councillor Bill Morris he should not be allowed to take part in discussions on the new complex because he lived next door in Lower End, Leafield, near Witney.

Leafield Parish Council has submitted plans to West Oxfordshire District Council for the sports centre but Mr Morris is opposed to floodlighting at the venue.

When Mr Morris refused to declare an interest, Mr MacGregor decided the issue should be settled by Thames Valley Police - and telephoned Chief Constable Charles Pollard.

The matter was passed to Carterton's Insp Paul Hayles, who visited Mr Morris to investigate the complaint.

Mr MacGregor, who has been a member of Leafield Parish Council for 50 years, said: "I was forced to call the police because he refused to declare a pecuniary interest.

"Villagers have elected him, so he has every right to have his say, but he must abide by the rules and he has not done so on this occasion."

Mr Morris said he had not declared an interest because he felt he had every right to discuss plans for the new sports centre. He said: "I am not against the idea of a sports centre but I have made my views clear about the use of floodlights."

Insp Paul Hayles said: "It's an extremely unusual case and I have never had to deal with a parish council before.

"There are local authority guidelines governing these issues and we hope the councillors manage to resolve matters, so our involvement is no longer needed."

Mr MacGregor said councillors would discuss the matter tonight.

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