A Ripon councillor has switched sides again, leaving the current Mayor short of a majority.
In a statement Cllr Sid Hawke hit out at Mayor Cllr Barbara Brodigan claiming she had brought the council into “chaos”.
Cllr Brodigan says she is taking legal advice and will comment after doing so.
He said he had made a huge error of judgement in backing her takeover.
“Over the last few days, I have had time to take advice from family and friends regarding my position on Ripon City Council where I have served as a councillor for the last 22 years and as Mayor on four occasions,” Cllr Hawke said.
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“I have reflected upon that advice and concluded that I have made a huge error of judgement (backing Cllrs Barbara Brodigan, the Mayor and Pauline McHardy).
“I would like to issue an unreserved apology to Cllr Jackie Crozier for putting my name to a motion of no confidence in her.”
Cllr Hawke continued: “I now know and have full confidence that she has done nothing wrong, I deeply regret any stress which she has been caused.
“I once again place on record my thanks to her for her loyal service to me last year as my deputy mayor and her service as Mayor.
“Ripon had been coming out of the doldrums caused by 50 years of under-investment in our city by the former Harrogate Council and I was proud to be associated with the Independents, putting Ripon before party politics grouping, as we had begun to make progress in making Ripon a better place to live, work or visit.
“On reflection I have concluded that it should be Cllrs Brodigan and McHardy tendering their resignations and leaving Ripon City Council and North Yorkshire Council.”
He said he has apologised to Cllrs Crozier and Williams, the former Mayor and former leader, and apologised to them, saying they were “simply trying to do their best for Ripon”.
Cllr Jackie Crozier said: “It takes a brave man to stand up and admit that he made a mistake and to seek to make amends for it.
“I thank Sid for having the courage to have done so and for making his position very clear.
“The last few weeks have been very difficult for me personally”
Cllr Andrew Williams added: “I hope after several weeks of chaos some stability can be returned to Ripon City Council.
“I welcome the decision Cllr Hawke has taken to distance himself and am pleased that his decision to rejoin the Independent Group and to work to bring stability back to Ripon City Council means that the cost of a by election is avoided, those resources can be used to provide services to the community instead.
“I pledge to work with Cllrs Camplejohn, Crozier, Flatley, Hawke and Horton and any other member of Ripon City Council who is interested in moving Ripon forward”
Cllr Hawke said: “I am looking forward once again to working with my Independent colleagues to ensure that the pantomime season is over.
