POLICE were called twice following a street spat between a councillor and a resident.

Lee Parker, the resident, is accused of making threats and Lee Scordis, councillor for Old Heath and the Hythe, is accused of pushing Mr Parker.

The row erupted in Greenstead on Sunday afternoon while Labour councillors were out canvassing.

A police spokesman said: “We were called shortly after 4.45pm on Sunday to reports of an alleged altercation in Magnolia Drive, Colchester.

“It was reported a man who saw a group of people canvassing for upcoming elections stopped and got out of the vehicle before verbally abusing the canvasser and then obstructing the pavement.

“It is then alleged the man who had got out of his car was subsequently physically assaulted.

“The incidents have been recorded by police.

“No arrests have been made and enquiries are continuing.”

Mr Scordis was one of a number of councillors who was out with Julie Young as she looks to retain her seat on Essex County Council representing Wivenhoe St Andrew.

Rosalind Scott and Tim Young, Labour group leader of Colchester Council, were also there.

Mr Parker has been involved in a long-running dispute with Colchester Council about getting a house for his family-of-nine.

He claims he got out of his car to speak to Tim Young after the councillor gestured at him, an allegation Mr Young denies.

Mr Parker says a heated argument ensued.

Mr Parker, 44, of Bergholt Road, Colchester, alleges Mr Scordis barged him and pushed him.

He also claims Mr Scordis told him he was to blame for his own family’s housing problems and told his daughters, who were in his car, their ‘dad was going to be arrested’.

Mr Scordis denies the accusations and claims Mr Parker was the aggressor.

He said: “He followed us in his car. He came out to abuse Tim Young and got right into the face of Rosalind Scott.

“I went back to rescue her and he got into my face.

“He was very aggressive. I thought he was going to hit me.”

Mr Scordis said he called 999 because of Mr Parker’s behaviour. Mr Young backed his Labour colleague, adding: “Mr Parker was intent on causing trouble.

“He was intimidating and threatening. He blocked Lee’s path.

“We have six or seven witnesses.”

It is understood Mr Parker called the police and made allegations of assault once he had got home some time later.

Mrs Scott said it was a shame police were called by either side.

She said: “Mr Parker was shouting at some of the other councillors.

“I said: ‘Not in front of the children’. He is very polite to me always.”

“It looked like it would become something. They fronted up to each other.

“This was not worth getting into a big fight and there was not a fight.”

Another witness, Richard Bourne, said he was 25 yards away from the incident and saw Mr Scordis try and disengage from Mr Parker, and did not hear any comments from Mr Scordis other than to say he was then going to call the police.

Mr Parker has been at loggerheads with Colchester Council for two years over securing suitable housing for him, his wife and their seven children.