Cr Henry Davis lodges defamation proceedings against councillors Janet Giles and Phillip Martin over council meeting comments

Adelaide City councillor Henry Davis is seeking damages from two colleagues for comments he says are defamatory and still causing him serious harm.

Adelaide Town Hall.

Adelaide City councillor Henry Davis is seeking $10,000 in damages from two colleagues for comments he says are still causing him serious reputational harm.

Cr Davis has filed proceedings in the Magistrates Court against councillors Janet Giles and Phillip Martin for comments made a July 9 public council meeting.

Cr Davis, principal of Henry Lloyd Davis, claims both councillors made comments that “constitute an allegation of misogyny”.

“Essentially, they were claiming that my criticism of council chairs receiving an additional $120,000 in ratepayers money was based on Cr Giles’ gender,” he told The Advertiser.

“There are two male and two female chairs and my criticism of this new committee structure started from day one.”

Adelaide City Council councillor Henry Davis. Picture: Supplied

Cr Davis had posted an Instagram video criticising the committee structure and alluded to Cr Giles getting $1500 to chair a meeting when she was absent.

Cr Giles had told the meeting, which was live-streamed, his behaviour was designed to “silence, intimidate and undermine women” on the council.

Cr Martin added: “Why is it that women in this Chamber are constantly under attack … Why is it that women of profile are mocked on social media, and those very, very sites are lit by Councillor Davis?”.

Adelaide city councillor Janet Giles.

Councillor Phillip Martin.

Cr Davis sent both councillors a concerns notice in July and he told The Advertiser neither had informed him of their intention to apologise.

“Let this be a warning to all councillors serving in South Australia that you do not have parliamentary privilege and comments made in council chambers can have real life legal consequences,” he said.

At last night’s council meeting, Cr Giles did not apologise for her comments, while Cr Martin was an apology to the meeting as he was on leave.

Cr Giles declined to comment when contacted by The Advertiser. Cr Martin was contacted for comment.