Ex City of Darwin councillor Paul Arnold’s restraining order decision against Amye Un and Leah Potter

An embattled ex-Darwin councillor has lost his bid to place a restraining order against a former peer — but has managed to block another Territory identity from contacting him.

An ex-councillor has failed to impose a restraining order against a former peer after she made scathing comments about his business winning a $100,0000 grant.

Professional photographer and former City of Darwin councillor Paul Arnold filed two interim personal violence restraining orders in September, following public spats with two women.

Mr Arnold attempted to force the court to block councillor Amye Un and Lyon’s candidate and comedian Leah Potter from contacting him.

On Tuesday Darwin Local Court judicial registrar Leanne Gordon rejected the restraining order against Cr Un, but agreed to impose an interim order against Ms Potter.

Ms Gordon said Ms Potter was barred from approaching or contacting Mr Arnold “directly or indirectly”, or “intimidating, harassing or verbally abusing the protected persons”.

She did not go into the reasons behind her decision.

former City of Darwin councillor Paul Arnold, centre, filed two interim personal violence restraining orders against councillor Amye Un and Lyon’s candidate and comedian Leah Potter.

Mr Arnold sought the restraining order against Cr Un over Facebook posts she made about a $100,000 government grant to his Smith St gallery.

The Visitor Enhancement Experience Program grant was awarded after he had stepped down from the council in May, citing mental health reasons.

Only a month after his resignation the photographer was sensationally arrested at his gallery and charged with three counts of breaking a domestic violence order and unlawful stalking, as well as multiple counts of property damage, aggravated assault and deprivation of liberty.

Mr Arnold has repeatedly maintained his innocence over the domestic violence allegations, but following Ms Un’s posts he also came out in defence of the government grant.

Mr Arnold sought the restraining order against Cr Amye Un over Facebook posts she made about a $100,000 government grant to his Smith St gallery. Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

In September Mr Arnold rejected any allegations of “nepotism or corruption” behind his winning bid, warning that he would be “pursuing legal avenues with regard to those who have made those claims”.

“This was a competitive grant round. My application was submitted and assessed against stringent criteria,” Mr Arnold said.

“To suggest that my right as a businessperson in Darwin to apply for and win a grant should not exist due to unrelated legal proceedings is a denial of my right to natural justice.

After her restraining order was dismissed on Tuesday, Cr Un was spotted laughing as she left Darwin Local Court.

Leah Potter was barred from approaching or contacting Paul Arnold “directly or indirectly”, or “intimidating, harassing or verbally abusing the protected persons”. Picture: Che Chorley

Cr Un — also known as the Laksa Queen of Darwin — said she was disappointed that the spat within the council escalated to the courts.

Cr Un said she had just asked legitimate questions from the community about the controversial grant.

“I am a representative of the community, and the community asked this question,” she said.

Cr Un also asked why her “friend” and former colleague had chosen to pursue a restraining order.

“Why, if I make any mistake, not call me … so we can sit down and talk nice,” she said.

“We are Darwin, we see each other everyday. Be nice, why hate each other.”

“Any mistake we can fix up.”

Cr Un did not respond when asked if having current and former council members in the court was a bad look for the Darwin council.

“This is my first time, so no comment.”

Originally published as Ex City of Darwin councillor Paul Arnold’s restraining order decision against Amye Un and Leah Potter