AN attempt to oust the Labour Mayor of Middlesbrough was heavily defeated during a council meeting.

Two Independent councillors, Terry Lawton, who was kicked out of the Labour party earlier this year, was joined by Jon Rathmell, when they called on Dave Budd to step down over a long–running row of sales of Middlesbrough Council’s assets.

The Northern Echo: Cllr Terry Lawton has been kicked out of the Labour Party

Cllr Terry Lawton table a motion calling on Middlesbrough Mayor to resign

Last month, a full council meeting descended into chaos when police and security had to be called to escort protesters from the council chamber when the meeting was halted after continuous shouting from members of the public.

On Wednesday night, the attempt to force the Mayor to quit was heavily defeated after Labour councillors voiced their support for Mr Budd.

In a motion tabled by Cllr Lawton, who represents the Brambles and Thorntree ward, he said: “Impartiality, honesty, transparency and integrity are the qualities that are absolutely required in the character of a major community leader.”

He continued: “Disappointingly, Mr Budd has shown himself to be disrespectful of our community.

“Instead of leading and representing all residents in the best traditions of Labour, he has concentrated on favouring only a limited vested interest and has ignored the talents and potential of this council as a whole.”

But several members of the council’s Labour group took the opportunity to sing the praises of Mayor Budd.

Leading the way was newly elected Cllr Matt Storey who challenged Cllr Lawton to resign as he was voted in on the back of the Labour Party ticket.

He said: “Does he have the bottle or guts to do it or is he a coward?”

Cllr Mick Thompson said he would treat the motion with the contempt that it deserved and would strongly oppose Cllr Lawton’s request.

The motion for the mayor’s resignation, seconded by Cllr Jon Rathmell, who represents Nunthorpe ward, was voted down by 31 votes to two.

An earlier motion, also proposed by Cllr Lawton and seconded by Cllr Rathmell, called for Middlesbrough Council to suspend asset sales following an audit report.

That motion was voted down by 28 votes to nine.