A HAMPSHIRE councillor is confident he will be vindicated following bullying allegations made against him.

Winchester rebel councillor Kim Gottlieb, who has been at the centre of the Silver Hill saga and had been suspended from the Central Winchester Regeneration Informal Policy Group believes that he did not breach any code of conduct rules.

As previously reported, Cllr Gottlieb was relieved of membership of the group by Winchester City Council leader Stephen Godfrey following complaints from senior city council officers and the outgoing chief executive Simon Eden.

At the time Cllr Godfrey said suspension was needed to "stop the situation escalating.".

The Daily Echo had seen several emails including a hard-hitting one from Mr Eden, who retired in September strongly criticising Mr Gottlieb with allegations of inappropriate and "bullying behaviour".

Mr Eden wrote that Mr Gottlieb had also privately discussed a new leisure centre with construction firm Wilmott Dixon and with a private company to repair Friarsgate multi-storey car park - which is allegedly "outside the rules".

Cllr Gottlieb sent an email sent at the start of December which revealed he had threatened taking strong action against the council which would not be "timid or discreet".

The Echo also understands that a standards report, which has not yet been completed, had criticised his behaviour.

However Cllr Gottlieb is confident he did not breach any codes of conduct.

Cllr Gottlieb said: "As regards the complaints about me, the Standards Committee process is still some way from being completed.

"However, having now received the benefit of expert legal advice I am confident that it will be found that I did not breach any Code of Conduct rules when expressing the views I have about certain development projects.

"I am hopeful that the complaints process will be completed shortly, so that it becomes less of a distraction for all concerned.

"There is much to be optimistic about the future of this council, and what it sets out to achieve."

The news comes as the city council is undergoing a period of change with leader Stephen Godfrey departing and a leadership election within the Conservative group taking place with the new leader being announced at the next full council meeting on January 11.

The council will also this month welcome a new chief executive, Laura Taylor.

Cllr Gottlieb is positive at the direction the city council is heading.

He added: "Cllr Godfrey had the good sense and grace to realise that changes needed to be made within the council, and within the Conservative Group, and stepped aside.

"I am very confident that the new leader, together with the new chief executive, will pick up the reins and make the changes needed to ensure that the best interests of the residents of the city and the whole Winchester district are fully served."