Does intimidation of a Parish Councillor by a planning applicant count as a prejudicial interest?

Question

If a Parish Councillor receives a visit from a planning applicant warning him not to speak against their application "or you'll be sorry" can the councillor choose not to vote on the basis that any decision he makes may be biased either way?

Answer 1

The behaviour by the applicant could well be a criminal offence. No, I don't think it creates a prejudicial interest, although a councillor is always free to abstain on any matter.

Comments

Thank you for answering. That's the conclusion I had come to.