CAUGHT ON CAMERA: South Ribble councillor's foul-mouthed tirade at Preston doormen

Coun Caleb Tomlinson, who represents Bamber Bridge East for Labour, was filmed swearing at two doormen outside the Stanley Arms in Preston, pushing one of them, and threatening to close the premises down – even though he has no jurisdiction in the area.

Steven Fludder, the bouncer who caught the tirade on his bodycam, said the behaviour was “horrendous” for a councillor and has made an official complaint to South Ribble Council. Coun Tomlinson has since admitted he lost his temper and his behaviour was “very unwise”.

In the video, the councillor, who was elected in 2009, can be clearly seen with his female partner arguing that they are not too drunk to return to the pub.

They repeatedly antagonise the staff and use expletives to insult them.

Mr Fludder, said: “He’d been in the premises with who I assumed is his wife, then they’d both gone out.

“She was struggling to stand up, so when they tried to re-enter, they were denied.

“That led to 10 minutes of solid abuse from both of them.

“They called us swearwords, repeatedly.

“As doormen we get it all the time, but for a councillor it’s quite horrendous.”

As the woman tells the doormen “We work for the council”, Coun Tomlinson gets a business card out of his wallet and waves it in the man’s face, swearing at him.

He then threatens to use his position to close the pub down – a power he does not have – because of the actions of the doormen.

Mr Fludder added: “It’s embarrassing. He’s acting like a vicious, spoilt child.

“My colleague had to push him away four times because he was getting in our faces.

“We told him he was on camera and it wasn’t hidden at all, but he wasn’t bothered.”

A spokesman for South Ribble Borough Council said: “The council can confirm it has received a complaint and is investigating.”

Yesterday Coun Tomlinson said he was on a private night out, but admitted it was a “silly, silly mistake” to mention he was a councillor.

He said: “My partner went outside for a smoke and I followed her.

“They (the doormen) were being obnoxious and rude to her and I cannot abide that. She wasn’t drunk, she tripped over a kerb.

“I know I lost my temper and I knew I was being filmed but I continued as, unfortunately, I get a red mist sometimes, but I only ever do it when I feel it’s justified.

“My language was choice, but I didn’t throw any punches.”

Coun Tomlinson says he got his councillor badge out after asking the doormen for their licences and not being shown them.

He said: “I thoroughly regret getting my councillor’s badge out – I know I have no jurisdiction in Preston as a South Ribble councillor – but they were refusing to show me ID.

“I have been called to go before Standards because of this and I am happy to discuss it with them.”