WEYMOUTH and Portland councillor Christine James is refusing to step down from her civic position despite growing calls for her to resign.

Since her conviction for assaulting her estranged husband and council colleague Ian, the Dorset Echo has been inundated with calls for her to move out of public life and stop representing the West-ham North ward.

Former Weymouth and Portland borough councillor Andy Blackwood wrote to the Echo saying he ‘cannot understand how Coun James feels she can carry on as a councillor’.

His feelings have been echoed by the South Dorset Labour Party, who have called on local Lib Dem leader Coun Ian Roebuck to ‘provide some evidence of action over the conduct of Coun Christine James’.

Their statement goes on to say that the party’s ‘continued silence suggests a severe lack of leadership.’ Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s spokesman for equality, diversity and social cohesion, Coun Kate Wheller, said: “Liberal Democrat councillors all over the country are speaking out and standing down over their shame at their party’s betrayal.

“The least the Liberal Democrat Group could do here to show a few principles is to assure the public they are reflecting on Coun James’ suitability as a community leader, if only out of respect for the electors.

“Not to do so is, at best, condoning that type of behaviour.”

Former Westham North councillor and honorary alderman, Andy Hutchings, added: “I hope Coun James considers her situation with regards to continuing to represent the ward.”

The local Labour party spokesman concluded by saying: “There is much feeling among the community that Christine James is no longer fit to speak for Westham North.

“Local resident Ian McDougal, of Field Barn Drive, has said: ‘My councillors should be people who can represent my values and the values of the community they serve.

“‘They are supposed to be our voice on the council, but I’m not sure we’re singing to the same tune.

“In my view, Christine James has to go.’”

Dorchester-based solicitor Richard Baker added: “I consider that the Liberal Democrat Party should clarify their own position on Coun James or risk undermining the hard work of their members with regard to Weymouth Women’s Refuge.

“I think her position is untenable. It is a pity that those in her own party seem not to share this view.”

Responding to calls for her resignation, Coun James told the Echo: “I don’t want to start bringing everything up again.

“There are two sides to every story. To me it’s been dealt with and it’s really not something I want to keep raking through.

“If people want to speak to me directly about it they can do.”

Coun Ian Roebuck added that Coun James has the ‘full confidence and support of the whole Liberal Democrat group in carrying out her duties as a local councillor'.

He added: “We are sure she will continue to serve the residents of Westham North with the same humanity, passion and commitment she has shown over the past seven years.”

A spokesman for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council refused to comment.