Whitchurch Town Council locks changed after clerk suspended

A group of councillors ordered locks to be changed at a Shropshire town council's offices within hours of its clerk being suspended, it was claimed today.

Councillor Alistair Young, of Whitchurch Town Council, said he was dismayed by the recent suspension of Peter Martin, adding that he believed proper procedures had 'not been followed' by 'a group of councillors'.

Mr Martin, who has been in the job for about five years, left his post this month following a behind-closed-doors meeting of the town council's staffing committee.

He has so far declined to comment on the situation, as has mayor Councillor Peggy Mullock and staffing committee chairman Councillor John Stokes.

Councillor Young today said he was alarmed at the way Mr Martin's suspension appeared to have been handled and a locksmith was called to change the locks within moments of his dep-arture, which was 'bizarre'.

He said: "The locksmith changed the locks to Peter Martin's office and got into cabinets inside."