Your report about the dreadful conduct of certain councillors at the recent meeting of the council tells only part of the story.

Without question it was the worst meeting I have attended as a member in over 40 years. The motion from Councillor Muslim was to re-affirm Bolton Council’s policy to protect our precious green belt. This is particular important after recent statements by the Labour Leadership that Labour would “back the builder, not the blocker”.

For a Labour councillor in a clearly pre-prepared speech to totally ignore the motion and instead to launch a personal attack on Councillor Muslim was not the standard that should be expected from an elected member. Worse, when I sought to raise a point of order that the speech was not addressing the motion normal convention is that the councillor speaking should immediately sit down until, in this case the Deputy Mayor, has given a ruling.

That this did not happen was in my view a breach of standing orders and the code of conduct to which all councillors must subscribe when elected.

It reflects badly on the member concerned. Surely common courtesy should be expected throughout life not just in a council meeting?

I leave it to others to judge whether the disgraceful conduct of certain councillors in recent weeks, not just at this meeting of the council, stems from Labour’s arrogance of power or from a total lack of understanding by recently elected councillors. Whichever it is unless normally courtesy is extended at all times the standing of the council is diminished and its work brought into disrepute.

Open debate is healthy. A pre-meditated and extended personal attack on another councillor is not.

Councillor John Walsh OBE