A COUNCILLOR has been ordered to stay away from town hall officers after complaints about his behaviour.

Hartlepool Borough Council member John Marshall last night admitted he shouted at staff, but insisted it was because of his partial deafness and tinnitus.

The council's chief executive, Paul Walker, has written to Coun Marshall about his manner and warned him that the latest complaint could be reported to the Standards Board for England.

But Coun Marshall is refusing to sign the letter and accept the terms, which include agreeing only to have contact with the council's chief solicitor. He said senior officials were staging a witch-hunt and said the latest allegation - which he denies - had not been properly investigated.

He said: "They have decided I am guilty without hearing all the facts. It is disgraceful. This goes against all types of democracy and pre-judging my guilt without even hearing my side or speaking to witnesses."

The complaint arises from a meeting with planning officials at which another St Hilda's ward councillor, who is supporting Coun Marshall's stance, was present.

Last year, Coun Marshall was stripped of his place on committees after allegations that he swore at an officer, and after a critical letter appeared in a local newspaper.

But the letter from Mr Walker refers to "continued complaints from a variety of sources".

It says: "These features clearly demonstrate that there is a real problem which cannot be addressed except by arrangements of the nature described in this letter."

An unrepentant Coun Marshall said: "I might be a bit loud on the telephone but I cannot help having a disability. I am 99 per cent deaf in one ear, partially deaf in the other and have to put up with tinnitus 24 hours a day.

"There was once a complaint about me shouting at a member of staff from the legal department but I apologised for that and explained it was because of my condition.

"I get on with most of the officers extremely well and I believe they get on very well with me."

A council spokesman confirmed that the council's chief executive was in communication with Coun Marshall "following continued complaints about his conduct".