THE former leader the Tory group at Cornwall Council says she will clear her name after a 'crime' of harassment was recorded against her by Devon and Cornwall Police.

Fiona Ferguson, a retired city lawyer, and former leader of the Conservative councillors at County Hall, was sent a letter by Devon and Cornwall Police telling her that a crime of harassment under the Malicious Communications Act 1988 had been recorded against her. It followed a complaint from the former clerk of Mylor Parish Council.

The former clerk resigned from Mylor parish council just over a month ago citing an alleged ‘disgusting, relentless, bullying campaign against me by some people in the parish' after an email about the possibility of building affordable homes behind Saltbox Close, Mylor Bridge was unofficially released to the public.

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The police have sent a letter to Mrs Ferguson at her address in Mylor Bridge saying they had received a complaint alleging that she had sent the former clerk abusive messages and also sent her recorded delivery letters.

It says as the clerk had resigned a month ago these contacts were not only unwanted, they were unwarranted.

The letter from Devon and Cornwall Police's Investigation and Resolution Centre says: "We need to advise you that the above crime has been recorded against you as a suspect. At this time the victim is not looking to prosecute you but, if there are further reports, we will take a more serious view.

"The behaviour is totally unwarranted and unacceptable and will not be tolerated by Devon and Cornwall Council Police.

"We trust that you will conduct yourself in a more civilised fashion in the future so that no further police action will be necessary; but rest assured, we will follow up on any future reports with a view to prosecution.

Mrs Ferguson says she horrified to receive the letter which, she said, seemed to conclude that she was guilty of a crime.

In reply to the police she said: "I am a retired city lawyer and a Cornwall Councillor. (stood down of own accord). I have no previous convictions. Not even a speeding fine, although I possibly been a bit lucky once or twice coming down Hamburger Hill going east. I did once get a parking ticket although that was only because I took my parents to the dentist. I was only away for ten minutes but they had forgotten to set the clock on their blue badge."

She added: "I want to clear my name as no one has ever doubted my integrity or said I was a bully, ever, I believe. You will also appreciate that my reputation is really important to me. It just is. It is who I am and of course it really would not look good if I wanted any work as a lawyer or a councillor."

However in a reply to an email from Mrs Ferguson, the officer from the investigation centre said that the letter did not mean that she had a criminal record and she was not being 'investigated'.

Mrs Ferguson told the Packet she had made no malicious communications and that police had jumped to a conclusion purely on what they had been told.

"I have told the police I am putting in a complaint and I will also complain to the Police and Crime Commissioner, if necessary," she said.

"I think it was a malicious communication by the police to write to me in that way with no evidence and not even any contact details for me to get in touch with them."

Mrs Ferguson was a Cornwall councillor for Truro Trehaverne from 2009 to 2017, during that time she was also leader of the Conservative group.

The former clerk was contacted by the Packet but did not wish to make any comment.

Devon and Cornwall Police have been contacted for a comment.