Coun Jane Branley refused to sit down, despite repeated requests from Mayor Coun John Anglin, and the meeting ended in a slanging match between Independent Alliance, Labour and Conservative members.

Ignoring council rules, Coun Branley attempted to read out a statement relating to her husband and fellow Westoe ward councillor, Allen Branley, who has been ousted from the council for not attending a meeting for six months.

Arms folded defiantly, Coun Branley repeatedly told the council chamber: "I will not sit down and I will not be quiet. You will have to call the police if you want me to shut up."

The meeting was initially suspended for 10 minutes, but formally adjourned when Coun Branley continued her protest, as the meeting ended in a slanging match, which also involved Coun Ahmed Khan.

Important issues relating to rents and housing were not debated, as one of the shortest meetings of the council was abandoned.

A senior Labour source said: "The actions of Coun Branley and Khan today prevented council house tenants getting a reduction in their rents which would have been agreed this afternoon as well as agreement on £18.2m worth of council house improvements. The highways programme will also be delayed."

Read the full story in tomorrow's Gazette.