A COUNCILLOR who slapped a political opponent in the face at an election count has refused to resign.

Penny Jackman is facing calls to surrender her seat on Lymington and Pennington Town Council after her bust-up with UKIP candidate Mike Beggs.

The 47-year-old Tory had clashed with Mr Beggs, 72, over a controversial remark she made about Lymington Cricket Club last year and he raised the issue in a leaflet ahead of the recent Pennington by-election.

The slapping incident took place just minutes before Tory candidate Michael White was declared the winner.

Mr Beggs, a 72-year-old marine engineering consultant of Broadmead, Sway, said the blow broke his four-tooth bridge and had caused him sleepless nights.

Cllr Paul Hickman, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition group on the council, said Cllr Jackman, pictured below, should resign.

Cllr Jackman described the incident with Mr Beggs as a private matter and said she had no intention of quitting.

But she added: “I really regret my outburst. I wish I hadn’t done it.”

Leader of the district council, Barry Rickman, said: “It was a most unfortunate incident but Penny apologised immediately and Mike Beggs accepted her apology.

“I won’t be asking her to resign as a district councillor.”

Chairman of the New Forest West Conservative Association, Patricia Banks, said: “Penny is a local girl with the best interests of local people at heart.

“I would hope that her occasional over-enthusiasm could be curbed.”