War of words at council (From Warrington Guardian)

War of words at council

9:16am Tuesday 13th March 2007

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A SPAT between rival Labour and Lib Dem councillors is running on and on.

Clrs Terry O'Neil, Burtonwood, and John Morris, Whittle Hall, both Labour, clashed again this week with Sankey South's Lib Dem Clr Alan Litton.

Both are experienced politicians from the top echelons of the old Labour administration and dubious about the competence of the new Tory/Lib Dem alliance.

They sat on the environment and regeneration scrutiny committee and gave Clr Litton a host of tough questions.

The latest incident saw Clr O'Neil pitted against Clr Litton from the word go.

Clr Litton said it has half past six and time to start the meeting - to which Clr O'Neill looked at his watch and said: "It's not, there's a minute to go."

Then Clr Litton introduced a new council officer to the committee, and said he would get used to the machinations'.

Clr O'Neill took umbrage, apparently at the idea the comment was directed at him, and said: "Machinations? What does that mean?"

Clr Litton responded: "I will explain after the meeting. You will need a brain for that."

The ill-feeling rumbled on and drew in other council members, to the chagrin of some of the officers present.

Clr O'Neill had last week accused Clr Litton of having no brain' in reference to the Lib Dem members likening to the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz.

On a previous occasion, Clr Litton and Clr Morris had a passionate discussion afterwards over whether Clr Litton should apologise for allegedly suggesting Clr Morris was playing politics' with important issues.

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