Council plans fresh legal action against resident two years after £100k costs order

Hertsmere Borough Council is taking fresh legal action against a local resident who has conducted a four-year campaign of harassment against councillors and officers.

Thomas Cullen, who lives in Bushey, originally objected to the council making a tree preservation order near his home.

His campaign of allegations of corruption, dishonesty, fraud and misconduct in public office led to legal action against him by the council in 2017.

Mr Cullen then agreed to pay £100,000 towards Hertsmere’s costs and gave an undertaking as to his future conduct.

Hertsmere has now said in a statement that it will pursue further legal action against him for continuing “to make serious false allegations about elected members and our staff on social media, in breach of High Court undertakings”.

Law firm Brett Wilson, acting for the council, has warned Mr Cullen that he faces committal proceedings for contempt of court arising from the social media publications.

Chief executive Donald Graham said: “Regrettably Mr Cullen’s campaign continues in clear breach of the undertakings he freely gave to the High Court.

“He has left us with no option but to instruct our solicitors to instigate further legal proceedings.

“Staff and elected members have the right to expect to be able to carry out their duties without the fear of harassment or abuse in any form. We will always take a robust stance against anyone who embarks on any such campaign, including on social media and, where necessary, take legal action to remedy the situation.”

Mark Smulian