EX glamour model Jodie Marsh claims she has been stopped from keeping a group of lemurs because council bosses hold a grudge against her.
The 45-year-old yesterday went to court over her attempt to adopt eight of the creatures at her animal sanctuary.
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She claimed Uttlesford council’s refusal to grant a dangerous wild animal licence — amid claims she took a meerkat to the pub — was unreasonable.
The former Celeb Big Brother contestant said the ring-tailed lemurs’ owner wanted her to take them in.
She said: “I feel the council has a grudge against me.
“I have quite a lot of proof of that.”
Jodie added: “This has already cost me a lot of money. I am very confident in our ability to rescue and care for animals.
“The mind boggles as to what is going on in that council. I am flattered that I am so important to them.
“But the truth is the public should be outraged by the money they are spending on this.
“I would urge the public to do a Freedom of Information request on how much this lemur licence has cost so far.
“They have had lawyers back and forth the whole time for months and months.
“The council, in my opinion, knew all along they weren’t going to give me the licence, not because I am not capable of looking after animals because I have proved time and again I am, but because it is personal to me.”
The council said it refused the licence because Jodie saw the 250 animals at Fripps Farm, near Great Dunmow, Essex, as pets.
Her appeal at a Chelmsford court was adjourned until next year.
