Former Torbay Councillor, Mark King, fled the U.K in October 2018, claiming his life was in danger. He was facing multiple charges of misconduct in respect of his Council duties and we later discovered Devon & Cornwall Police wanted to interview him regarding an assault charge. Country Squire Magazine interviewed him in early 2019 and today, our colleague Marie, based in South East Asia, caught up with him for a follow-up interview.
CSM – Mark, thank you for your time today. It would be true to say that you left the UK under a cloud of controversy and some would say criminal activity. Are you, as some would suggest, on the run from justice?
MK – Absolutely not. There are two issues here, and I would like to address them separately.
CSM – So let us start with Torbay Council. Having failed to appear at your hearing, Torbay Council in your absence, found you guilty of multiple counts of the code of conduct. Do you have a response to this?
MK – This was a political decision not backed up by evidence. It was a clear attempt by the Conservative ruling group to settle old scores. I would refer you an earlier report by an independent investigator which had cleared me of misconduct and the Conservative led sub-committee of councillors carrying out the hearing had ignored its findings. It is worth noting that the Council had no powers to force me to attend and I was only found guilty of the minor charges which resulted in a censure. In effect, I got a slap on the wrist. Further questions raised by the committee were investigated independently and it was found there was no further case to answer.
CSM – Now to what our readers may consider a more important question. Are you wanted by Devon and Cornwall Police on a serious assault charge?
MK – This is not straightforward. The complainant, a lady (I use the term in its broadest sense), a certain Ellie Waugh, complained to Devon and Cornwall Police in the summer of 2018. I was arrested in front of my elderly parents and detained for 24 hours. I was released without charge. As you know, I left the UK in October 2018 and that is why the Council Hearing was held in my absence. In November 2018, I was reported as a missing person, again by Ms Waugh, and had to contact the police to confirm I was safe. Later that month I was contacted again by D & C police who stated they wanted to question me with regard to an assault on Ms Waugh between 28th December 2017 and the 3rd January 2018. A few emails ping-ponged during this period and I sent them verifiable proof that I was not even in the Torbay area for the dates in question – I was in a Kensington Hotel and a friend was with me for the whole period. After receipt of this evidence, I heard no more. It is approaching 4 years now – I have had no contact. Your readers may draw their own conclusions. Waugh has since been rubbished as a fantasist and banned from running a charity. It’s difficult to conclude that I am on the run, as I didn’t find out about the alleged incident until after I had left the country. The Philippines authorities are adamant I am not a wanted man.
CSM – Is there any chance that you will return to the UK?
MK – I have not got much to return for. I’ve been living in the Philippines for almost 6 years now. I have a wife, an adopted daughter and I live here like a local. I’m accepted here as such. My modest Civil Service pension and the money we make from our store and café business here ensures we live a middle class lifestyle here. Back in the UK my father lives close to my brother and my grown up daughter has her own life and a partner now. There is nothing to gain by me returning to the UK. Of course, I keep a watch on current events from afar and I’m not sure I am liking what I am seeing. I’m sure I made the right decision to leave.
CSM – So life is good here in the Philippines?
MK – I know the British like to discuss the weather. It’s either unbelievably hot or unbelievably wet. There’s not much in between. The cost of living is cheaper. My typical electricity bill is £30 a month, water just £3 a month. Local Tax is £2 a month. There are many beautiful islands to explore and Hong Kong, Thailand and Taiwan are only a short flight away. Food and rice costs £5 to £10 a day depending on market prices and produce. Local beer is £1.30 for a litre bottle and it’s really quite drinkable.
CSM – You say you do not like what you are seeing? Have you seen that Steve Darling is running to be the MP in Torbay? He is standing for the Lib Dems.
MK – Yes, I saw that. All I can say about Mr Darling is that when I was a councillor I became sure that he is not as visually impaired as he makes out. There were a few of us Torbay councillors in Bournemouth for the LGA conference. We had dinner together and were heading to a well-known real ale pub. Now, instead of waiting for us for guidance, he sped off at an alarming pace, crossed busy roads many times unaided and was in the bar comfortably before the rest of us. He had no guide dog in those days. Me, Richard Haddock and Derek Mills were speechless. It was either a bad mistake on the part of Steve as we clocked him, or Bournemouth should be the next Lourdes – there was a miracle we all witnessed that afternoon.
CSM – Thanks for answering my questions.
MK – No problem. Any time.