A councillor caught not paying her council tax until threatened with court action has accused the Examiner of racism and bias.
Ashbrow Labour member, Clr Amanda Pinnock, was revealed by the newspaper as one of the “Ratesgate” six after Kirklees Council revealed she had failed to pay her bills.
Amid rumours among several sources, Clr Pinnock was confronted about the issue in May by the Examiner but denied being a culprit.
But two weeks later, information provided by Kirklees Council to a Freedom of Information request, showed she was one of the main offenders.
Reporter Nick Lavigueur on the Ratesgate scandal below
Clr Pinnock, who has only been a councillor for one year, was sent four reminder letters in 2015/16, each time saying she owed £86.
A court summons for £172 was then sent by Kirklees lawyers after she failed to respond.
A second summons for £977.77 was then issued for non-payment of council tax after more arrears built up.
Kirklees Council said the threat of court action was withdrawn after Clr Pinnock settled her debts.
Clr Pinnock was named alongside three Labour colleagues yesterday, two white and one Asian, when details were revealed by the council.
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But she took to Facebook to accuse the Examiner of racism.
In an angry rant, she said: “Feeling annoyed - once again the bias (sic), racist, limited Huddersfield Examiner embellishes and exaggerates the truth. I think it’s about time they are replaced with a credible newpaper!!!”
The Examiner understands both Clr Pinnock and Clr Jean Calvert both denied telling the Examiner they had not received court summons to this newspaper to their colleagues on Thursday evening.
Clr Pinnock again failed to respond to a phone call from the Examiner on Friday morning to explain her side of the story.
Meanwhile a spokesperson for the Labour party has confirmed it is up to the Kirklees group to bring any disciplinary action against the four councillors who did not pay their council tax until they received court summons.
The spokesman said: “There will be an investigation by the whip of the group.
“The Labour party will be supporting that inquiry as we take this issue very seriously.”
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The details of the councillors in trouble over council tax non-payment was finally revealed to the Examiner after weeks of lobbying.
Four of the five issued summonses to court for unpaid debts were named on Wednesday.
All are Labour Party members.
Former deputy leader of the council, Clr Jean Calvert, was one, along with her ward colleague Clr Pinnock.
The others were Mohammed Sarwar and Amanda Stubley.
Previously Clr Donna Bellamy had admitted she had received a summons.
Kirklees has refused to name the 6th person to receive a summons, as he or she is no longer a councillor.
Several other councillors and former councillors received warning letters about council tax arrears.
