THE MAYOR of Evesham has blasted the behaviour of councillors following an explosive exchange at the end of Monday’s monthly meeting of Evesham town council.
The verbal altercation came during an agenda motion to discuss whether the council should lift the current ban on Coun Emma Nishigaki (Avon ward) putting herself forward for election to committees.
She is currently prohibited from doing so due to sanctions after being found in breach of Wychavon’s code of conduct last year, following complaints by members of the public.
A row broke out over whether or not Coun Nishigaki had handed over confidential council papers to a member of staff at Orto Lounge after March’s full council meeting.
Councillor Emma Nishigaki. Picture – Evesham Town Council
During the discussion, Coun John Campbell-Muir claimed she was ‘not trustworthy’ and stated he and fellow councillor Sharon Hemming (his partner) had overheard Coun Nishigaki suggest to the barman he should read them as they contained ‘juicy’ information.
This was strongly denied by Coun Nishigaki, who countered that she had only asked the individual to dispose of the papers, as they were ‘confidential’ and had been left behind by someone else.
She then warned him to be ‘very careful’ of what was being alleged and – waving her phone in the air – claimed she had a screenshot of a conversation he had the previous night, which was tantamount to a ‘criminal offence’.
A tit-for-tat exchange then erupted, during which the mayor, Coun John Clatworthy, tried to bring the meeting to order by repeatedly striking his gavel.
Councillor John Campbell-Muir. Picture – Evesham Town Council
Coun Campbell-Muir finally left the chamber after exclaiming: “It needs to be said, what you were doing was causing trouble, as you always do.”
WATCH: Evesham Town Council meeting, April 13, 2026
The mayor, Coun John Clatworthy, told the Observer: “That sort of behaviour is unacceptable for a town councillor in the council chamber and, as the mayor and chairman of the council, the behaviour by both of them is not acceptable and I will not tolerate it.
“The fact that it was being live-streamed gives an appalling reflection on Evesham Town Council and as grown adults, taking into account their disabilities they always talk about, they are responsible people who are elected to represent the community.
“Behaviour like that is not tolerated – I was appalled by the outburst by both parties and, even when I was trying to shut them both up, they were both ignoring me and I am disgusted with the pair of them.”
Councillor John Clatworthy, mayor of Evesham. s
The motion brought by Coun Julie Haines to allow Coun Nishigaki to put herself forward to stand on council committees was defeated with nine votes against, five for and seven abstentions.
In January, on the recommendation of Wychavon’s monitoring officer, the town council voted to sign up to a civility and respect pledge to demonstrate its commitment to a positive culture of behaviour in dealings between councillors, staff, the public and partner organisations.
Signing the pledge also commits the council to organising appropriate training programme for councillors and staff.
When asked by the Observer if any training had taken place, Jo Adams, the town clerk, confirmed that this was being looked into for the new mayoral year, which begins in May.
At last May’s annual mayor-making, Coun Clatworthy pledged to restore ‘manners and respect’ to town council meetings.
