Conservatives stand by West Northants leader as opposers call for confidence vote
New allegations of domestic abuse made against council leader Jonathan Nunn have put him under pressure
By Sarah Ward
The ruling Conservative group of West Northants unitary council continues to back its leader despite him becoming mired in new allegations of domestic abuse.
NN Journal contacted all of the 63 Conservative councillors on the unitary authority yesterday and so far Cheryl Hawes is the only Tory councillor who says the leader Jonathan Nunn, who has been in charge since 2021, has lost her support.
Over the weekend the Daily Mail published new allegations made by his first wife Maria Botterill, who he was married to for a decade in the 1990s.
Cllr Nunn, who was convicted in 2004 of violently attacking his second wife Janice in the street, says the new allegations are ‘unfounded’.
The Mail’s report follows the original article by the political satire magazine Private Eye.
However despite the support of his group, an extraordinary meeting will be held with a vote of no confidence in the leader, the only item on the agenda, as seven councillors, led by Independent Cllr Ian McCord,have asked for it to be called.
The Labour group called for Cllr Nunn to resign last week, but his own Conservative group has vastly been silent on the issue.
When we attempted to call or email each one yesterday (some councillors do not have personal contact details available) most did not answer the phone or respond to our email request. A number said they did not want to comment.
However some did speak, almost all pledging their support.
Cllr Alan Chantler, who represents Braunston and Crick and is assistant cabinet member for planning, said ‘of course’ Cllr Nunn still has his confidence.
He said:
“I’m not sure why you are asking that question, as it is not a matter that ought to be discussed. I have no reason at all to believe there is anything to make him unfit for leadership.”
He said he had seen the recent news but his conviction was ‘20 years ago and has nothing to do with his capabilities’.