Tempers flare as Isle of Wight councillors clash at meeting

A council leader ordered a political rival to be silent and tried to evict him from the room during a heated exchange at an authority meeting.

Phil Jordan, in charge of Isle of Wight Council, stood up, pointed his finger and said: "You will not speak", before asking officers to remove Councillor Peter Spink.

Mr Spink shouted: "I will speak", before commenting: "Absolute disgrace."

Mr Jordan told the BBC he rose to keep order and "not in an angry manner".

The testy exchange, which has been widely shared on social media, happened during a cabinet meeting on Thursday.

Mr Spink, a member of the Isle of Wight's Empowering Islanders party, interrupted a speaker to ask a question about planning strategy.

Mr Jordan interrupted in return, repeatedly saying: "We will give you a written response. Have you a second question?"

"I will speak," Mr Spink shouted.

"Actually you won't speak. You will not speak," the council leader said, also raising his voice.

He asked an officer: "Can we organise for this councillor to leave the room?"

Mr Spink was subsequently permitted to remain but was ordered to say nothing further.

Speaking to the BBC, the council leader said he rose in accordance with the council's rules of debate, which say: "When the chairman stands during a debate, any member speaking at the time must stop."

The Alliance Group leader said: "It's not a question of standing up in an irate manner. It is in the constitution.

"I certainly don't think it was over the top. I was dealing with a difficult councillor in trying to maintain the proper business going ahead.

"Unless you understand the context, it could be seen in a different way."

Mr Spink described his rival's behaviour as "unacceptable, undemocratic and unbecoming as the leader".

He added: "Jordan came out of the traps like a greyhound. I have a right to speak.

"I am difficult but with someone as tricky as him I have to be."

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