Row over sex shop protest

SEX shop businessman Tony Ibrahim is calling for a town council clerk to resign amid claims the clerk, Erbie Murat, launched a personal attack on him in an email sent out from the council's computer.

Mr Ibrahim says he is taking legal action against Wisbech Town Clerk Mr Murat, claiming remarks made by him in the email were libellous.

Mr Murat has furiously denied the email - sent out to various councillors and council officials, raising objections against plans by Mr Ibrahim to open a sex shop at Guyhirn - was personal.

He claims Mr Ibrahim is trying to get him to withdraw his objections to plans to convert the former Little Chef restaurant on the A47 into the county's largest adult shop.

Mr Ibrahim has approached Wisbech Mayor Jonathan Farmer, calling on him to take action against Mr Murat.

He believes Mr Murat should be disciplined for using the council's email address to send out his letter of objection and would like to see him resign.

Mr Ibrahim has also approached Fenland District Council to raise his concerns. However, the district council has no powers to intervene in the matter.

David Oliver, former Mayor and town council leader, said he had spoken to Mr Murat and he had been reprimanded for using the council's computer.

But he said: "It is a personal email, it is not from Wisbech Town Council and it is not inferred anywhere that is from Wisbech Town Council.

"The matter is being discusssed and we are reviewing our computers policy at the moment."

Mr Murat commented: "To make it absolutely clear, the objections had nothing to do with the town council and nothing to do with my job as town clerk.

"It is an objection from an individual who lives in Guyhirn and is against the licensing application for the sex shop to open in Guyhirn.

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