A FORMER action group chairman has been forced to pay out £3,400 after Maldon District Council’s leader threatened legal action over anonymous slurs.

Miriam Lewis had threatened to take Don Benson, former chairman of the Heybridge Residents Association to court, following 18 months of disputes.

As a result, Mr Benson signed a statement confirming he distributed e-mails via an anonymous account to district and parish councillors, making accusations about Miss Lewis’ behaviour.

Miss Lewis, who represents Heybridge West ward, said: “It has been a very unpleasant interlude, but shows clearly that people do not have to be subjected to this level of spiteful, unsubstantiated personal abuse.”

Mr Benson undertook not to make unsubstantiated claims or statements about her in the future.

He said: “No comments at this time.”