Town hall latest: ‘Foul-mouthed’ Tory councillors criticised

Tory councillors Martin Tighe and Carol Kirkman were accused of disrespecting a meeting discussing the town hall plans

Tory councillors were told to “respect” the meeting they were attending, as one Westhoughton resident accused them of “mouthing foul language” and laughing.

At a recent meeting of Westhoughton Town Council, town councillors were discussing plans by Tory-run Bolton Council to install a glass front on the town hall, permanently changing the historic building which is a landmark for the town.

A representative of the Westhoughton Town Hall Community Focus Group attended to hear the debate, but later wrote on Facebook: “While this discussion was going ahead, Councillors Kirkman, Tighe and Bullock were holding a conversation between themselves and laughing.

“When asked by the chair to respect the meeting and to hold one meeting, one Conservative councillor proceeded to argue with the chair while the other Conservative put her hand just over her nose and mouthed foul language.

“How professional and all seen by myself and another member of the public!”

She added: “I was absolutely disgusted at their behaviour. They had to be asked on a few occasions to refrain from poor behaviour and reminded that the town council should be working together instead of playing politics.

Liberal Democrat town councillor Neil Maher, who was chairing the meeting, said: “We ask that all town councillors respect the meeting they are in, even if they disagree with something that has been said. To do anything else looks terrible in the eyes of local residents and is not what we are here to do.”