Wiltshire councillor Chris Humphries reprimanded for bullying
A Wiltshire Tory councillor accused of mistreating a member of staff has been reprimanded by his local authority.
Chris Humphries, who represents Aldbourne and Ramsbury, was found guilty in his absence of five breaches of Wiltshire Council's code of conduct.
Mr Humphries strongly disputes claims that he bullied and made sexist comments about a female employee.
He has been reported to the Standards Committee. It is understood he now intends to take further legal advice.
In her complaint originally made in June 2011, the council employee accused Mr Humphries of sending her inappropriate emails and touching her in an inappropriate way.
But in a statement, Mr Humphries's solicitor said his client "strongly disputed" the evidence.
He also claimed Mr Humphries was unable to defend himself satisfactorily due to what he called a change of procedure by the council.
As a result, Mr Humphries refused to attend the two-day hearing at County Hall in Trowbridge.