Farewell to 'colourful character'

3:26pm Tuesday 6th May 2008

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THIS election marks the departure from St Albans District Council of one of its most colourful members, independent councillor John Newman.

During his council career, Councillor Newman, originally a left wing Tory, developed a reputation for straight talking, acerbic wit and invective as well phrased as it was contemptuous.

In charge of leisure in the power-sharing cabinet which fell in 2004, as Tory leader he bitterly attacked the Lib Dems' handling of the city centre cinema project they had inherited from him.

Many of his criticisms appear vindicated by events - the original cinema operator pulled out, two planning applications have collapsed, and it remains unclear whether the competing interests of heritage campaigners and film lovers can ever be reconciled.

But before long he fell out with his own party, and, ousted as leader, left to sit as an independent.

Political strife was transferred from the council chamber to the court room when Councillor Newman, banned from driving, was caught driving home by his nemesis, Lib Dem Melvyn Teare, after attending a cabinet meeting.

Councillor Newman, who insists he merely drove out of the Civic Centre car park before his wife took the wheel, was then charged with intimidating a witness, a CCTV operator.

Hopes of a sensational trial were dashed when this very serious charge was dropped, and the former Tory leader admitted driving while banned, receiving a substantial fine and costs.

Councillor Newman, despite being in his 70s, gave up squash only recently, and is a keen cyclist.

He now lives in Dorset with his wife and teenage daughter.