Councillor resigns over group misogyny allegations

The main opposition group on Oxfordshire County Council has lost its position after a councillor resigned over concerns about alleged misogyny and bullying within the group.

Independent Paul-Austin Sargent, who represents Banbury, said the issue was the "main reason" he had left the Oxfordshire Alliance after allegations about the treatment of female councillors raised at a meeting last week.

Alliance leader Liam Walker strongly rejected any suggestion the group had engaged in bullying, misogyny or racism.

Sargent's resignation came after former Liberal Democrat councillor, Dr Lidia Arciszewska, listed several times when she said female politicians had been verbally abused by councillors, "some of whom sit in this very chamber," with no action being taken by the council.

In a statement on Monday, Sargent said the "main reason" for his resignation from the Alliance was concerns about "misogyny" and "bullying" within the group - allegations it disputes.

His departure leaves the Conservative-led alliance with 11 seats, one fewer than Labour, which now becomes the formal opposition to the Liberal Democrat administration.

The Oxfordshire Alliance bloc is made up of Conservative, Independent Oxford Alliance and independent councillors.

Walker, a Conservative, said Sargent had threatened to leave "on numerous occasions".

"While it is disappointing that Paul has chosen to leave, we respect his decision and wish him well," he added, responding to comments made by council leader Tim Bearder.

Lib Dem Bearder had previously said Sargent was a "very principled man" and linked his departure to accusations of Conservative councillors "employing a lot of really underhand and fairly misogynistic tactics" in recent campaigns.

A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council previously said it took all allegations of misogyny, sexism, bullying and abuse "extremely seriously."

The BBC has been unable to verify the claims made by Dr Arciszewska last week, but understands they would be denied.