A COUNCIL has been accused of playing “political games” after a meeting to discuss the future of its chief executive and a mayor was held in private.

An extraordinary meeting of Middlesbrough Council was held tonight after findings of an employment tribunal raised questions about the evidence provided by chief executive Tony Parkinson – as well as separate allegations against Middlesbrough Mayor Dave Budd.

The Northern Echo was banned from attending the meeting, despite launching a legal challenge against the exclusion of the press and public.

Dozens of protestors turned up outside Middlesbrough Town Hall calling for Mr Budd and Mr Parkinson to resign, whilst many also voiced their displeasure at councillors voting against allowing them to remain in the meeting.

Police community support officers were also present both inside and outside Middlesbrough Town Hall to prevent the protests getting out of hand.

Pressure has mounted on Mr Parkinson after a judgement on the employment tribunal of Karen Whitmore – a former Middlesbrough Council employee – ruled that some of his evidence was not “reliable in the wholesale way”.

The tribunal found Mrs Whitmore was unfairly dismissed after she made allegations of shady property deals.

Her claims of victimisation and unfair dismissal were upheld, but judges said they did not find enough evidence that she lost her job as assistant director of organisation at the council because she had blown the whistle, or that she was a victim of harassment.

Mrs Whitmore claimed during the tribunal in March that publicly-owned properties, collectively worth millions, were sold off for lower amounts to an associate of former Mayor Ray Mallon by Middlesbrough Council.

She had said the concerns she raised over the “flawed” tender deals led to her being bullied and threatened.

An independent audit last year raised questions into the processes around some of the sales, but found no wrongdoing by the council.

Cllr Jacob Young, ward councillor for Coulby Newham, said: “The people of Middlesbrough have been denied a voice because Labour councillors shut this meeting to stop any discussion on the matter.

“This was not why they were elected - people elected them to speak for them, not play political games and hide behind council procedures.

“They have they done wrong by the people of Middlesbrough,” he added.