INDIGNANT mayor Ray Mallon told a councillor to "put up or shut up" following comments made on Twitter about the sale of Acklam Hall in Middlesbrough.

Following years of negotiations with potential developers and English Heritage the town's only Grade I Listed building is now poised for a £2m transformation paid for by luxury housing in its grounds to create a Wynyard-style estate.

Mr Mallon confronted Coun Len Junier about comments made in an October council meeting and on social networking site, Twitter, suggesting that the deal was “dodgy” as the land was worth £750,000 per acre but only £600,000 had been paid for the building and its 32 acres.

The mayor said he was taking legal action following the remarks made against the council, its officers, former co-owner Middlesbrough College and chosen developer Acklam Hall Ltd and told Mr Junier that he and an unnamed female ‘Tweeter’ had a duty to produce evidence of wrongdoing or apologise.

Mr Mallon, said: “I can say unequivocally and without fear of contradiction that I know the female member of the public, the councillor, or anyone else for that matter, will not be able to produce any evidence of any wrongdoing on the part of anyone with regard to the sale of Acklam Hall and the associated land.

“Therefore the Tweet describing the Acklam Hall deal as “dodgy” is scurrilous in the extreme.”

The Restoration mansion is being turned into a wedding venue with small spa compared to the deluxe Champneys health farm, gym, conference rooms and a restaurant.

“Neil Whittingham of Acklam Hall Ltd was the only person willing to take a risk in bringing the hall back to life,” Mr Mallon added in the council chamber at Middlesbrough Town Hall.

“It’s a Grade I Listed building, over 300 years old that absorbs money like a sponge absorbs water – that’s why we have not got millions and millions of pounds for it. Councillor Len Junier either put up or shut up.”

Mr Junier , independent councillor for North Ormesby and Brambles Farm, said: "As far as putting up or shutting up I will definitely be putting up."

He denied making comments at a town hall meeting about the Acklam Hall deal being corrupt but he admitted he'd said that the deal "didn't look right at all".

He added: "It's alright for you to do a character assassination about someone you know very little about. I will not shut up, you are not big enough and you are not clever enough. I have dealt with bullies all my life and I will not be shut up by you."