AN OUTSPOKEN councillor who sparked a furore by slapping a political opponent is in hot water again.

Conservative Penny Jackman, 47, pictured, is at the centre of a new storm after publishing a letter from a supporter that praises her for having struck 72-year-old Mike Beggs.

The letter, posted on her Facebook page, says: “I feel I must write to you congratulating you on your actions. It’s a shame it wasn’t a harder slap.”

The letter appears to take a swipe at 72-year-old Mr Beggs by adding: “Just desserts”.

Cllr Jackman is a member of Lymington and Pennington Town Council, New Forest District Council and the New Forest National Park Authority.

Cllr Chris Harrison, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition on the district council, said: “She appears to be something of a loose cannon and needs to consider her position as a councillor. People in local government have arguments – sometimes heated ones – but physical violence is not acceptable.”

Mr Beggs, of Broadmead, Sway, a UKIP candidate in a recent town council by-election, issued a statement saying: “That Cllr Jackman should publish the letter seems to call into question the sincerity of the apology she made to me after her attack.”

Cllr Jackman said she published the letter because it was representative of the messages of support she had received.

She added: “I stand by my apology, which was made – and meant – most sincerely and which Mike Beggs had the grace to accept at the time.”