Mayor of Dover caught snorting white powder demands bigger car to reflect 'prestige and status' of his role

Mayor is said to be 'subject to discomfort' due to the size of the civic car he currently drives

The 55-year-old mayor is said to be 'subject to discomfort' due to the size of the civic car he currently drives (Kent Council)

The mayor of Dover, who first made headlines after he was caught on camera snorting a line of white powder in a toilet cubicle, has demanded he is given a bigger car by the council.

Neil Rix has called for his £26,000 Toyota Prius to be replaced so his choice of vehicle matches the status of his role.

“The mayor believes that the make of vehicle should reflect the prestige and status of the mayoralty,” explains a council document.

The 55-year-old mayor is said to be “subject to discomfort” due to the size of the civic car he currently drives.

The town sergeant, who is “above height for a British man” and also uses the vehicle, is believed to find the car equally uncomfortable to drive because his head touches the roof even with his seat at its lowest position.

The sergeant has suggested the Prius could potentially be replaced with a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, a Skoda Superb Hatch SE l Executive or a Volvo S90 hybrid T8 twin, which are all priced at around £30,000.

The council has agreed to the demand and the mayor’s budget for car lease is set to rise from £3,590 to £5,000 a year.

Local councillor Peter Wallace has condemned Mr Rix’s suggestion the vehicle should reflect his mayoral position.

“The guy who is trying to say we should get a better car for ‘prestige’ is the same guy who last year made headlines for a video of him snorting powder which was called the ‘white cliffs of Dover’ and ‘snortgate’,” Mr Wallace told The Independent.

Mr Rix, who runs a scaffolding firm, refused to resign last year after footage emerged on YouTube of him rolling up a bank note and snorting a line of white powder in a bathroom cubicle. The clip showed Mr Rix saying "don't let anyone come... don't want anyone seeing Councillor Rix doing this".

Responding to the video which was posted last August, he claimed the clip had been filmed seven years ago and had been used to blackmail him. He said he was “dead against” drug taking and did not know what the substance was, saying: “It could have been sherbet for all I know."

He added: “People were putting stuff in my drink. I was being blackmailed. I'm glad it's out in the open.”

Mr Wallace has argued it is wrong for the council to upgrade Mr Rix’s car when they refused to give a local homeless charity money minutes earlier.

The local councillor said: “A homeless group had given a presentation and made a pitch to get funding 20 minutes earlier. We gave them a round of applause but not a penny yet we have money for a more prestigious car.”

“The mayor just goes about hobnobbing at different events, wearing gold chains, eating sandwiches, drinking wine and shaking hands. Why do you need a brand new executive car for it I would rather spend the £5,000 a year on the homeless shelter.”

A spokesman for Dover Town Council told The Independent: “It has been agreed to replace the civic car, which is used by councillors, officers and the mayor for council business, and is coming to the end of its lease. Environmental factors and economical running costs will be taken into account when selecting the civic car – no recommendation or decision on a model has been made. Councillors also agreed leasing the civic car up to £5,000 per year is the most cost-effective option.

“The car is driven and used by a number of officials who are tall and find the driving position uncomfortable. There is some risk of physical harm to them for continually using a car when at the lowest seat position, heads touch the roof. The council has a responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 to ensure the health, safety and welfare which includes safe transportation.”