Row over email

By Callan Date
TWO Casey councillors are involved in a bitter battle over an email deemed as “grossly defamatory” by a solicitor.
In confidential documents seen by the News, Casey Council attempted to broker a mediation session between councillors Paul Richardson and Janet Halsall after Cr Richardson sent the email in question last month.
The 24 November email complains about Cr Halsall’s opposition to Cr Butler’s intention to stand for mayor.
It also criticises Cr Bradford’s term as mayor.
The confidential report said that Casey Council was so concerned about the contents of the email that it paid Cr Halsall’s legal costs to consult with a barrister about a possible defamation case against Cr Richardson.
Confidential in camera documents from the council, which were sent anonymously to the News, detail the email as being “so discourteous and disrespectful to another councillor that a solicitor described it as being grossly defamatory”.
“There would be no doubt that Cr Richardson’s email is not courteous or respectful of Cr Halsall,” the document read. Cr Richardson has refused to attend the peace meeting in which he, his wife, Cr Halsall, Casey CEO Mike Tyler, mayor Colin Butler and the council’s legal advisor were asked to attend.
The email in question was sent by Cr Richardson to Cr Wayne Smith on 24 November and contained a request to forward it on to Cr Halsall.
According to Casey Council’s computer records, the email was also sent to several local newspapers, including the News.
Cr Richardson denies he forwarded the email to the media.