George Freeman, who represents Mid Norfolk, has declined repeated requests from this newspaper to give his view on the allegations facing Taila Taylor, the deputy mayor of Attleborough who he has campaigned alongside on a number of occasions.

Despite this, however, he has indicated his support for her publicly by 'liking' a Facebook post by Ms Taylor in which she defended herself.

Taila Taylor has frequently campaigned with George Freeman on local issues (Image: Facebook)

Ms Taylor, who also sits on Breckland Council, has been under pressure to clarify whether she has paid £10,000 to charity, fulfilling an agreement made when she received £20,000 in damages from Attleborough Town Council following a dispute.

The councillor - who has announced she will stand for Norfolk County Council next month - has declined to say what has happened to the money.

However, she has accused the council - of which she remains a member - of not upholding its own side of the agreement, thereby removing the requirement for her to donate the money to a good cause.

Since news of the story broke last week, voters have also been asking Mr Freeman for his view on the issue.

Ms Taylor took to Facebook to defend herself (Image: Facebook)

One person, Clive Myhill, wrote on the MP's Facebook page questioning his position.

Mr Myhill, who described himself as a long-term Tory supporter, asked whether Mr Freeman was "not slightly concerned" about his "obvious connections at Attleborough" and with Ms Taylor.

The MP did not respond, but Ms Taylor - who has also declined to comment to this newspaper - posted a reply.

She wrote: "Thank you for your concern.

"To clarify, I was not 'awarded £10,000 to give to good causes'.

"I received damages in settlement of legal claims relating to defamation, malicious falsehood and human rights breaches.

"As part of that agreement, I agreed to contribute £10,000 of those damages to a local cause or causes only if the Council fully complied with the terms of the settlement, which did not occur.

Mr Freeman liked her comment (Image: Facebook)

"As such, there was no obligation on me to make that payment. That said, I have made, and will continue to make, charitable contributions locally by choice, not because I am required to, but because I want to."

Mr Freeman then 'liked' her response.

WHAT’S THE CONTROVERSY ABOUT?

The controversy dates to 2020, when Ms Taylor and fellow Attleborough councillor Edward Tyrer were removed from their committee roles following bullying allegations made by council staff.

A judge later ruled the move unlawful, leaving the authority with a £114,000 bill. 

Ms Taylor received £20,000 in damages as part of the resulting settlement, of which she agreed to donate half that sum to a local Attleborough charity within 12 months - subject to the council honouring its own obligations under the agreement.

Ms Taylor with Stephen Fraser (middle) and her mother Samantha Taylor (right) - who are both Breckland councillors - at a party over the weekend (Image: Facebook)

The settlement, which was made in May 2021, stated: "In respect of the sums set out at clause 1.1.1 (and subject to full compliance of this Agreement by the Defendant [the council]) the First Claimant [Ms Taylor] shall pay the sum of £10,000 to a charity or project based in Attleborough of the First Claimant’s choice within 12 months of this Agreement."

Nearly five years on, she has repeatedly declined to confirm whether the donation was made.

Her refusal to clarify her position has led opponents on the council to refer the matter to police last week.

A formal complaint, co-signed by five Attleborough councillors, was sent to Norfolk Constabulary and the county’s police and crime commissioner, accusing Ms Taylor of potential misconduct and misuse of funds in a public office.

Ms Taylor and Mr Freeman have been approached for further comment.

Ms Taylor's announcement that she intends to contest the Attleborough division at the county council elections next month means the scandal is unlikely to abate.

Ms Taylor has announced she is standing in the county council elections (Image: Mid Norfolk Conservatives)

In her announcement post on the Mid Norfolk Conservatives site, she said her priorities were in “making sure Attleborough gets the infrastructure it needs”, “improving SEND support for children, young people and adults”, “working to reduce flood risk in Attleborough and Besthorpe” and “ensuring public money is used wisely and effectively”.

Sam Chapman-Allen, the Tory leader on Breckland Council, is yet to speak on the scandal, while the Mid Norfolk Conservatives and the national Conservative Party have also both been approached for comment.

© Eastern Daily Press