My name is Andrew Willgoss.

I have proudly served my community as an independent parish councillor for many years. During that time, I have worked alongside fellow councillors to secure more than £300,000 in funding for local community projects that have benefited residents across our parish.

Outside public service, I run my own garden maintenance business. I am an ordinary working man who believes in honesty, hard work and standing up for what is right.

Politics has never worried me. I understand that people will disagree. Healthy political debate is an essential part of democracy, and I have never expected everyone to share my views.

What I never expected was to become the subject of deeply personal and damaging allegations simply because I chose to challenge another elected representative. I am proudly gender critical and am used to being targeted because of my beliefs. 

 What happened?

Over the past few years, I have openly challenged the conduct of one local councillor, Richard Wilson, and have expressed my views on a number of local political issues through social media.

As a result, I believe I became the target of a sustained campaign designed to damage my reputation.

That campaign culminated in an email circulated by Councillor Wilson to numerous parish councillors and our parish clerk containing serious and deeply personal allegations of a sexual nature about me.

I categorically deny those allegations.

I considered them to be false, deeply offensive and entirely unnecessary.

Political disagreement is one thing.

Making deeply personal allegations about another individual is something entirely different.

Why I am taking legal action

Before taking legal action, I followed the proper process.

My solicitors first attempted to resolve this matter without the need for court proceedings.

Unfortunately, those efforts did not result in a resolution.

Court action has therefore become my only remaining option to protect my reputation and seek the apology and retraction that I believe is justified.

Why this matters

This case is about much more than me.

Every councillor should expect political challenge.

Every councillor should expect criticism.

That is democracy.

But democracy is not served by personal attacks.

It is not strengthened by the circulation of deeply personal allegations.

Politics should never become a shield behind which individuals feel able to attack another person’s character without consequence.

I believe fabricating and circulating deeply personal allegations has nothing whatsoever to do with political debate.

It does not strengthen democracy.

It weakens it.

When public debate descends into personal attacks, respect for public office is damaged, trust is eroded and fewer decent people will be willing to put themselves forward to serve their communities.

That should concern all of us, regardless of our political beliefs.

Why I need your help

I have already funded the early stages of this legal action from my own savings.

As an independent contractor, I simply do not have unlimited financial resources.

Defamation proceedings are expensive, particularly when a case cannot be resolved before reaching court.

I am therefore asking for your support to help me continue pursuing this claim.

Every donation, however large or small, will go directly towards the legal costs of bringing this matter before the court.

This is not something I ever wanted to do.

I would far rather spend my time serving my community than pursuing litigation.

But I also believe that good people should not be expected to accept serious attacks on their reputation simply because they are involved in public life.

If we allow personal smears to become accepted as part of politics, then everybody loses.

How the money will be used

The funds raised will be used solely to meet the legal costs associated with pursuing this defamation claim, including solicitor’s fees, barristers’ fees, court fees and any other necessary litigation expenses. 

Should the case conclude for less than the amount raised, any remaining funds will be dealt with in accordance with CrowdJustice’s rules and the advice of my legal team.

Thank you

Whether you are able to donate or simply share this page, your support genuinely means a great deal.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for standing with me in seeking accountability, fairness and justice.

Andrew Willgoss