A FURIOUS row erupted between Labour and Tory leaders over which group has closer ties with the University of Bolton.

The bust-up — at a meeting of the full council — came amid a row over two sacked members of staff.

Tory chief, Cllr David Greenhalgh, asked if the authority would publicly join calls to have husband and wife duo Damian and Jennifer Markey reinstated after they were dismissed for allegedly leaking information to the press about university vice-chancellor George Holmes .

He accused Labour Council leader Cllr Cliff Morris of “swanning off for tea” with Professor Holmes. Cllr Morris hit back by saying that “most of the University board” is made up of Conservatives.

Damian Markey, a senior lecturer in visual effects and Jennifer, an academic administrator, were both dismissed last month after stories appeared in newspapers about a £960,000 bridging loan granted by the university to the Professor Holmes to help him move house, as well as details of expensive staff away days in the Lake District

The Markeys both deny leaking any information to the press.

Cllr Greenhalgh said: “Does the leader feel it is not wholly appropriate that this council, as a valued partner of the university, should join the calls from all parties, including his own, to have the couple re-instated while a thorough investigation takes place?”

Cllr Morris, who said he has signed a petition calling for the couple’s reinstatement, said: “Unlike David Greenhalgh I have made an appointment with the Vice Chancellor to find out what is going on, which he hasn’t done. It is bad practice if that is what they do, but this government has deregulated education and they are now allowed to do this kind of thing in academies and free schools as well.

He added: “I condemn what has happened, if that is what has happened — it is bad practice — but we are assuming at this point.”

In response to claims of his close ties with Professor Holmes, Cllr Morris made reference to Conservative life peer Baroness Patricia Morris, who was the University’s first chancellor, adding: “and most of the board are made up of Tories.”

Cllr Greenhalgh said he felt any suggestion that the University board has a political leaning was “completely inappropriate.”

He added: “I think the board members would be very concerned if that is what he is insinuating.”

The university has previously stated that it would be “inappropriate” to comment on the “internal matter regarding the two former employees.”