A MEMBER of the Forest Council has been warned by the council's legal department after he admitted opening barriers and releasing newts from traps at the Northern Quarter near Cinderford.

But Cllr Andrew Gardiner (Ind, Lydbrook and Ruardean), who described in a letter to the Review how he entered the cordoned-off area, says he is sticking to his guns.

A letter from the Forest Council's monitoring officer Claire Hughes – who is responsible for ensuring high standards of conduct by councillors and officials – warned him that "removing" fences and releasing creatures from traps could be criminal offences.

Cllr Gardiner has been told he would be referred to the council's standards committee for a possible breach of the councillors' code of conduct and that the police had been informed about the potential offences.

He was also warned by the monitoring officer for 'continued public disregard of council decisions' and ignoring advice that continuing with his actions would be 'unacceptable'.

Cllr Gardiner said: "The information stating that I removed fences is wishful thinking on behalf of the district council.

"What I did was push open the fence in the same manner as one does via a hinged gate.

"The council, in tandem with the Homes and Communities Agency, has placed this matter in the hands of the police because, as they say, I continually disregard council decisions and remove creatures such as beetles and devil's coach horse left trapped in the blazing sun.  

"However, the planning committee does not meet until October 24  –  therefore no decisions have yet been taken  by the council. 

"I  also believe the council deserves nothing but contempt for their cruel and thoughtless actions carried out with the Homes and Communities Agency against the wildlife.

"The letter also claims that the land now belongs to the site owners, the Forestry Commission and the council.

"This claimed new ownership is a revelation in itself and if true is a monstrous piece of behind the scenes robbery of public land."