POLICE have launched an investigation after a father-of-two claimed a councillor assaulted him.

Tendring district councillor Lis Bennison is accused of slapping Anthony Chandler as he dropped his children off at Clacton Pier during the air show.

The former security officer claims Ms Bennison bellowed in his face and then slapped him while he was sitting in the driver’s seat.

Mr Chandler, 37 of St John’s Road, Clacton, said fellow councillor Andy Pemberton had been next to Ms Bennison and said he had seen what had happened.

Mr Chandler reported the alleged assault to the police and complained to the council.

The Gazette contacted Ms Bennison and Mr Pemberton, who are both Peter Bruff Ward UKIP councillors, but both declined to comment.

Jeff Bray, spokesman for the UKIP group on Tendring Council, said: “Given there are conflicting accounts regarding the detail of this accusation and given that it is the subject of an on-going investigation, it would not be appropriate for the group or any of its members to comment at this time.”

Nigel Brown, Tendring Council’s communications manager, said: “As this matter is currently under investigation by Essex Police it would be inappropriate for the council to comment any further at this stage.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “A 69-year-old woman from Clacton attended a voluntary interview in relation to an allegation of assault. Inquiries are ongoing.”