In his first public statement since resigning on 19 October, Christopher Morgan cited "bullying" and "whipping up hatred" among his reasons for stepping down as Chair of Sully and Lavernock Community Council.

During last night's Zoom meeting, Mr Morgan said the bullying came from residents outside the council and was adamant that his resignation was not "down to the two councillors everyone keeps quoting."

He suggested members of the community and the media had been "hoodwinked" by "vociferous members of the community into a position that is not entirely correct".

"The reasons I resigned were external factors following the 20's Plenty campaign," he said, referring to the council's controversial decision to be put forward for a pilot trialling a 20 mph default speed limit.

"I found that the dog whistle bullying that came from outside the council, led in part by some former councillors with a feeling of hatred to various community groups - namely OFC (Our Future Communities) [the group who backed the campaign] - was beyond the pale."

In July, the council granted Our Future Communities £1,200 to carry out a survey. Mr Morgan went on to criticise all supposed claims that this was in any way underhand.

"Let's be clear. Back in July everybody in the council voted unanimously to ring fence £1,200 for OFC in order for this community to build a future place plan.

"To my knowledge, they have currently spent £149. This is not some group that is trying to steal taxpayers money. They do not deserve to be maligned for their education or background. It is disgraceful what I've seen going on. There is no sense of financial wrongdoing," he added.

"It's wrong, and the people who have made those allegations are the same people who voted for the money to be invested in the same place."

Nub News has approached Mr Morgan for examples of such allegations being made. We are yet to receive a response.

Reports of tensions between various community groups are widespread. Comments on a recent Sully Village Hub Facebook post regarding the 20's Plenty vote became so heated that the admin turned them off.

Mr Morgan went on to defend councillors Rod Thomas and Ian Barlow, who have been implicated in creating a culture of bullying within the council.

"There were no internal factors within the SLCC and I have no problem with any of the councillors. In all my town in the council I was never bullied and I never saw any bullying," he said.

"I was more than happy with any of these two people whose names keep cropping up. There are three sides to every story, and his side, her side and the truth.

"People need to sense-check some of these fake news things that are coming up. They're not healthy and they're not the truth.

"You've got me going now. I might need to go and have a beer."

Cllrs Thomas and Barlow proceeded to praise Mr Morgan for his comments.

"I would like to thank Mr Morgan for what he said. It's good to hear that Mr Morgan is now aware of the false and outrageous accusations that have been hosed around," said Cllr Barlow.

"He did the decent thing, and I am very grateful for him coming here tonight and saying what he said."

Cllr Thomas added: "Thanks for telling the truth there, Christopher. It takes a lot to admit that."

This comes just two months after Mr Morgan called for Cllr Barlow's resignation and ushered in an anti-bullying policy.

During a 1 September meeting, Mr Morgan (then-Chair) tabled a vote of no confidence against Cllr Barlow, who then refused to resign.

At the same meeting, he also announced the introduction of an Anti-Bullying and Harassment Policy.

Cllr Rod Thomas voiced his opposition saying: – I won't sign up, I'm not giving up my democratic right, you can do what you like."

Mr Morgan is the eighth council member to resign within just three years.

Resident Richard Thomas last night called for all members to step down in order to overhaul and rejuvenate the body.

Some have even suggested the SLCC should be disbanded all together.