AN ANDOVER Town Council meeting had to be adjourned following a heated argument between opposition councillors that included a Liberal Democrat councillor swearing and calling the mayor an 'idiot'.

The meeting held at The Lights in Andover on Wednesday, June 29 was adjourned just after 45 minutes as opposition councillors accused the mayor David Coole, an independent councillor, of not following standing orders.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Nigel Long said Cllr Coole was making the council a joke after the mayor refused to consider the first item on the agenda – a re-election to select a new deputy mayor.

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The item was put on the agenda by the town clerk after it was found that Cllr Rebecca Meyer - who is also an independent councillor - was elected as the new deputy mayor in a previous meeting without an absolute majority.

Cllr Coole said the item would not be considered until it is properly investigated.

This created a debate as the Liberal Democrat councillors called the mayor names.

Cllr Robin Hughes accused Cllr Coole of not following the standing orders.

Cllr Long said: “I will not stand for this. You were given legal advice. You're a joke to this council. You are making the position of your mayorship a joke.”

Following the continuing debates, former mayor and Andover Alliance party’s Cllr Richard Rowles proposed to adjourn the council meeting.

Seven councillors voted in favour of adjourning, while four voted against.

After the meeting, Cllr Coole told the Advertiser that the first item on the agenda could not be heard for two reasons.

He said: “First, it had not been presented within 10 clear days of the meeting, as required by Standing Orders.

"Had it been heard, it would have been unlawful and subject to future challenges.

"Second, there is a genuine concern that certain disgruntled members are refusing to comply with Standing Orders, which they approved in May, and have placed unacceptable pressure on the proper officer, resulting in rushed and potentially flawed legal advice.

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"The matter will now be properly investigated and once complete, council will be updated.

“The Liberal Democrats members swearing and bullying of councillors and residents at the meeting is both shocking and unacceptable. They and the other councillors who voted to adjourn the council meeting need to reflect on their shameful behaviour, apologise to those they offended and start behaving like elected councillors.

“Residents are fed up and tired of their petty political squabbling and point scoring, and desperately want their councillors to get on and deliver things that will make their lives better."