Man claims being silenced after complaining about parish councillors
A serial complainer dubbed the ‘Weasenham whinger’ claims a ‘vexatious complaints’ policy is being used to silence him.
David Fairchild made dozens of objections about parish council members’ handling of issues, ranging from the cost of a new pavilion to who invoices were addressed to.
Things got so bad that every one of the councillors resigned.
Some 27 of his 31 complaints were upheld in an independent audit early last year.
But Mr Fairchild, 72, says the three people parachuted on to the authority by the district council have tried to sideline him by diverting his emails to junk folders.
David Fairchild (pictured) made dozens of objections about parish council members’ handling of issues, ranging from the cost of a new pavilion to who invoices were addressed to
Mr Fairchild moved to Weasenham village in Norfolk with his wife in 1990 and worked as a clerk and councillor for the parish until 1999
But Mr Fairchild, 72, says the three people parachuted on to the authority by the district council have tried to sideline him by diverting his emails to junk folders. Pictured: A memorial in the centre of Weasenham
‘This is solely geared against me because I am still in contact with them. It’s a shield to protect them from criticism,’ he said.
Parish council chairman Martin Romanovsky denied the claim and told the Mail Mr Fairchild had been given a special email address and would get replies if messages were not ‘abusive or inappropriate’.
However, it is understood no one else has been issued with the email address.
A resident of the Norfolk village, who asked not to be named, said: ‘It’s pretty obvious this is aimed at one person.’
The measures relate to correspondences containing ‘personal attacks’, ‘unrealistic outcomes’ or messages that form part of ‘frequent requests for information’.
The policy was agreed at a meeting on March 19 where Mr Fairchild was present.
It states: ‘We will not tolerate any behaviour, written or otherwise, that causes undue stress for the councillors or clerk and presents a threat to their mental wellbeing.’
Mr Fairchild has been issued with a missive from the council stating he is ‘now deemed vexatious’. He moved to the village with his wife Christine in 1990 and worked as a clerk and councillor for the parish until 1999, when he left citing ‘differences’.
Mr Fairchild pictured with his collection of whiskey in his office
Parish council chairman Martin Romanovsky denied the claim and told the Mail Mr Fairchild had been given a special email address and would get replies if messages were not ‘abusive or inappropriate’
The village’s six sitting councillors resigned en masse in 2022, blaming health reasons.
Mr Romanovsky has been accused by Mr Fairchild of having a ‘dictatorial leadership’ style – a claim denied by the council.
Mr Romanovsky yesterday denied ‘silencing’ him, saying: ‘We’ve made a separate email address to deal with not just him but any vexatious persons in the village.’
But a parish council spokesman appeared to contradict the claim, saying: ‘This policy was drafted in order to deal with Mr Fairchild’s behaviour and to prevent him from freely and directly contacting and insulting the clerk.’ Mr Fairchild said: ‘I’m not going to let this deter me.’
