A public apology was given to the former Mayor of Dover Cllr Pam Brivio for the “rudeness” she tolerated during her term.

Cllr Gordan Cowan spoke at the annual mayor making ceremony in Dover Town Hall on Thursday night.

It was following the election of independent Cllr Chris Precious who will serve as mayor for the next municipal year.

Cllr Cowan said: “I stood here this time last year proposing Cllr Pam Brivio for the Mayor of Dover.

“I have never known a councillor to work so hard.”

He said Cllr Brivio attended 397 engagements over the last 12 months.

“I only say what I believe in, and I believed in Cllr Pam Brivio last year,” he said.

“She has made sure that our town is running in a professional way.

“The results show when you come to an election, people vote for those who can do a better job.

“And what happens, Cllr Brivio comes top with flying colours and the person that wanted to disrupt came fifth, which is bottom of the table."

Augusta Pearson, who led a petition to try and get a Union Flag flying in the memorial garden opted to stand as an independent for Tower Hamlets.

But she did not receive enough votes to be elected, coming fifth.

“All councillors want to do is their best for the town and others try to put them down, which is wrong.”

'All councillors want to do is their best for the town and others try to put them down, which is wrong.' - Cllr Cowan

He said she needed an apology for “the rudeness, the severe disruption and the horrible comments that have been made.”

“It is not just for her, but for her family, in particular,” he said.

“Nobody is going to make that apology, but I am, on behalf of the town council.

“Sincerely, please accept our apologies and hold your head up high.”

His remarks were followed with a round of applause.

Cllr Sue Jones said: “She was very reluctant to start with.

“But she took this honour on-board and she did the best job that anyone can do.”

Cllr Pam Brivio then took to the stand, she said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve the town as mayor.”

To see pictures and the full report, pick up next week's Mercury out on Thursday, May 21.