THE leader of Bolton Council could face a standards watchdog over claims he abused his position by asking council officers to open a controversial set of gates.

Cllr Cliff Morris has been reported to the Standards Board For England by Liberal Democrat councillor Roger Hayes in a row over gates near Mortfield Fishing Club in Shepherd Cross Street, Halliwell.

If the matter is investigated and he is found guilty of wrongdoing, the Labour leader could be forced to stand down or be suspended.

Cllr Morris, who is a ward councillor, believes opening the gates would give the wider community access to a local beauty spot.

But some residents fear keeping the gates open could give children access to open water and provide criminals with a route to people's homes. Nearly 500 people have signed a petition calling for the gates to remain locked.

Cllr Morris has denied allegations he reversed a decision by his colleagues to leave the gate locked.

At a council meeting last month, Cllr Hayes tabled a motion claiming Cllr Morris had "damaged the reputation of his office" and put local children at risk by asking officers to open the gate for six hours a day.

Councillors heard that an environmental services meeting on October 24, chaired by executive member Cllr John Byrne, had asked officers to prepare a report on the safety risks.

Cllr Hayes, the Lib Dem's environment spokesman, said it had been decided the status quo should apply in the meantime, with the gates remaining locked.

But Cllr Byrne said he had spoken to officers after the meeting who had told him the status quo was for the gates to be open.

Cllr Morris said: "As a ward councillor, I asked for that agreed position to be enforced and for the gates to be opened."

He added that although the status quo was for the gates to be open from 10am to 4pm, keyholders from the fishing club had been locking them.

Cllr Byrne apologised at the meeting for failing to tell Cllr Hayes and other councillors about the U-turn over the status quo. Councillors voted only to "note" the matter, meaning no action was taken against Cllr Morris.

But Cllr Hayes said: "I don't think a decision taken at a democratic meeting should be overturned just because the council leader decides he does not like it.

"This is nothing to do with whether or not the gates should be locked. It's about the process."

Cllr Morris said: "I'm a bit sad he wants to do this but let's get it out the way. I've nothing to be frightened of because I've done nothing wrong."