“I’m not a bully, I stand up to bullying” said a councillor accused of slander and bullying the chief executive of Pembrokeshire County Council, writes local democracy reporter Katy Jenkins

The outburst followed a question from Clr. Ken Rowlands regarding a statement by Clr. Jacob Williams at a scrutiny committee that Ian Westley had a “cosy relationship” with Dyfed-Powys Police.

Clr. Rowlands asked if leader Clr. David Simpson agreed with that statement – and its implication of dishonesty.

Clr. Simpson replied: “No I do not.”

In a follow up question Clr. Rowlands said the statement was slander and in fact “workplace bullying” which Clr. Williams should be sanctioned for.

Clr. Simpson said it was not his job to “interfere with any member of the chamber.”

“If you think there’s been a breach of the code of conduct, report it,” he added.

Clr. Williams said he “categorically denied” bullying Mr. Westley adding that Clr. Rowlands’ link to a councillor calling cabinet members “a bunch of a-holes” was more a case of bullying.

Clr. Williams added that he understood that Cllr Rowlands complaint to the monitoring officer had prompted the advice to tablet he question rather than go to the ombudsman, who would dismiss it.