THE DEPUTY Mayor of Andover has been released by police with no further action to be taken.

As previously reported by The Advertiser, Cllr Lauren Banville was arrested yesterday in Portsmouth on suspicion of violence to secure entry and making threats to kill.

The 38-year-old, as well as another 61-year-old woman from Andover, were arrested on Gladys Avenue at around 11.30am on Wednesday.

Hampshire Constabulary have now confirmed that both women have been released with no further action.

The Advertiser understands that this is a domestic-related incident.

In a statement, Cllr Banville said: "I can confirm that I was arrested yesterday on suspicion of making threats to kill.

"I can confirm that after a thorough investigation they found no evidence of any such behaviours. 

"My reason for being at the address was to collect my Son whom was due home on Sunday after spending an arranged weekend with Dad."

Cllr Banville, who won election to Andover Town Council in 2019 as part of the Andover Alliance, stood down from the party after a high-profile split from mayor Richard Rowles.

She now stands as an independent and represents the Harroway ward.

The Advertiser reported last year how Cllr Banville’s application to join the Conservative party was rejected, due to her “views and past history”.

Cllr Banville had previously been a member of the Labour party, serving as vice chair of Andover and North West Hampshire Labour.

However she was removed from the position in June 2018 after defending EDL co-founder Tommy Robinson on social media following his arrest a month prior for contempt of court.