COUNCILLORS are warning that people disrupting town hall meetings in Middlesbrough could face a ban, after police were called last month.

On October 19 large numbers of people attended the meeting in the council chamber after a protest rally outside.

Two were banned from meetings for three months after shouting from the public gallery.

The public gallery was subsequently cleared, but altercations and confrontations continued elsewhere in the building.

The meeting was re-started after a 40-minute break during which police were called to address concerns over public order.

Further measures are now being introduced to ensure any disruption at future meetings are kept to a minimum.

Middlesbrough Council Chair Councillor Steve Bloundele said: “The scenes played out in the Council Chamber and elsewhere in the Town Hall last month were frankly disgraceful, and have no place in this or any other civic building.

"Members of the public do not have the right to disrupt the Council going about its legitimate business, and we will not tolerate any attempt to supplant democracy with anarchy.”

  • Public access to the next full council meeting, on November 30, is via the main entrance on Centre Square from 6.30pm.