Political Row At County Hall Over Alleged Threats

Tensions have flared at Leicestershire County Council after Reform UK leader Dan Harrison accused a Conservative member of making threats of violence.

Cllr Harrison claims that deputy leader of the Tory group, Cllr Craig Smith, had threatened him with ‘physical violence’ at a private meeting, including saying he would ‘knock [my] block off’ if Harrison ‘hurt someone’ Smith ‘cared for.’

Harrison revealed details of the alleged incident during a meeting at County Hall yesterday and added he had reported the matter to Leicestershire Police.

Council Leader Dan Harrison

Cllr Smith has denied the allegations, with Conservative group leader and council opposition leader Deborah Taylor stating that he ‘completely rejects’ Cllr Harrison’s account.

She also accused Cllr Harrison of making threats against herself and Cllr Smith during the same meeting.

Members of other parties described the public airing of the dispute as ’embarrassing’ and urged the council to resolve the matter privately, so that attention can return to issues affecting local residents.

A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police said: “Enquiries are being carried out into an allegation of a verbal threat made towards another person in October.

“No arrests have been made as our investigation continues.”

Cllr Craig Smith