A FARNHAM woman has written a letter of protest to Tony Blair after a local government watchdog cleared town councillor Victor Scrivens of misconduct, following a row outside her shop.

The 22-year-old woman, who has asked not to be named, told The Herald she feels "appalled" that the "toothless" Standards Board for England has decided to take no action against the Liberal Democrat councillor and former town mayor.

The woman complained to the town council after her run-in with the prominent councillor in Downing Street on Sunday, March 24.

Then, she and members of her family were loading their four-wheel drive vehicle with dismantled fittings from her shop.

The woman said she had obtained permission from the police to park the vehicle outside the shop, formerly House of Pearce outfitters, for the few minutes necessary.

Mr Scrivens complained that the vehicle was blocking the footpath - a claim the woman denies.

Taking up the story, she told The Herald: "A gentleman, who I later learned to be Victor Scrivens, came along and was incredibly aggressive to the point where I'm frightened to see him in Farnham on my own.

"He said he could see what kind of people we were and he was a town councillor and he wasn't having it."

She said Mr Scrivens did not use foul language but was "very frightening".

"I want nothing to do with Farnham now. When it comes to supporting you the town does nothing."

But she singled out then mayor of Farnham, Victor Duckett, for praise.

It was he who referred the matter to the Standards Board, she said, after her initial complaint to town council clerk Pat Evans. "He was incredibly helpful. Outstanding," she said.

She disclosed to The Herald that since Mr Scrivens had been cleared, she had received a letter of support from another town and Waverley borough councillor whom she declined to name.

She denied it was from Mr Duckett, who sits on both councils.

The writer of the letter, she said, appeared keen to let her know how Mr Scrivens had reacted to being cleared. Mr Scrivens' reported reaction had further infuriated her.

She said that following their argument, Mr Scrivens telephoned Waverley's heritage department with concerns about the work she was doing to the Grade II listed building, which she intends to lease to a clothing shop once refurbished.

Mr Scrivens this week laughed off the woman's comment that she is frightened of seeing him again.

"Is that because I'm growing my beard for the part of Tony Belch?" said the amateur thespian who has been playing Tony Belch in Farnham Shakespeare Company's production of Twelfth Night.

"I think such comments are silly and I don't want to respond to anyone who makes silly comments like that. That's not the way I would behave.

"As for the Standards Board, they decided that no further action should be taken and as far as I'm concerned that's the end of it."

Asked if he regretted his actions, Mr Scrivens said: "It's very difficult to comment on an individual case, but when people are acting incorrectly they unfortunately have to be told."

Councillors who have signed up to the National Code of Conduct - Farnham Town Council has adopted the code - must abide by its conditions or risk facing investigation by the Standards Board, which has the power to suspend or bar from office.

This week, the board has been requested to investigate Mayor of London Ken Livingstone's behaviour at a party at which a guest fell over a wall.

The woman claims Mr Scrivens broke the code by being disrespectful to a member of the public, acting independently of the council and bringing it into disrepute.

But in a statement to The Herald, The Standards Board for England said: "Following a full and thorough investigation, it has been decided that no further action should be taken in this case. This is because evidence for a breach in the code was inconclusive.

"The principal allegation against Mr Scrivens was victimisation. No evidence was found to support this.

"While it was considered that councillor Scrivens was unwise to become involved in an angry exchange with the complainant, given all the circumstances of the case, it was considered that no further action need be taken."

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