A Reform Party councillor has issued a public apology after being recorded urinating on a street in Dunster while campaigning earlier this month.
Devon County Councillor Neale Raleigh was filmed by a Ring doorbell camera just after 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, October 2. The footage shows him relieving himself in a public alleyway as a passerby walks by.
Michael Fife Cook, leader of Devon County Council’s Reform Group, confirmed that Mr. Raleigh has apologized for his actions. Speaking to SomersetLive, Mr. Cook explained the context behind the incident: “I don’t condone his actions, but there are understandable circumstances. Tramping the streets delivering leaflets for what you believe in has its ups and downs. He was caught short with no public facilities nearby, so he found an alleyway and made sure no one would be offended.”
Mr. Cook also noted that Mr. Raleigh did not realize the alley was monitored by a Ring doorbell camera but was desperate and had limited options. “This was not someone’s private property, just an alleyway,” he added.
The video was shared on the social media platform X on Saturday, October 11, and had amassed more than 21,000 views by the time of reporting. Public reactions were mixed, with some condemning the act as “disgusting” and “completely abhorrent,” while others sympathized, suggesting worse issues exist.
Councillor Raleigh was in Dunster campaigning ahead of the Somerset Council by-election set for Thursday, October 23, where voters will elect a new councillor for the area.