THE new leaders of Guisborough Town Council were this week branded as "Muppets" who had done nothing for the authority.

The council chamber was in uproar as Conservative member Coun Bill Clarke launched his tirade at the annual meeting on Monday.

The row was such that Coun Dave Punshon - husband of new chairman Coun Barbara Punshon - warned Coun Clarke about making personal insults.

"You can say what you like politically," he said, "but don't ever again insult my wife on a personal level."

Amid Labour cries of "Shame", Coun Clarke insisted that fellow Tory and veteran councillor Anne Franklin should have been elected vice-chairman instead of Coun Denise Bunn.

Despite being asked to sit down and be quiet, Coun Clarke likened the new mayor and deputy mayor to characters from the Muppet Show. "Their strings are being pulled from elsewhere," he said.

"These are the highest honours we can bestow and the Labour members have devalued this in a political statement. This is a shambles, a disgrace and a mockery."

Coun Clarke said Coun Franklin had served the town to the highest of standards.

"She works hard," he said. "This is amazing when you realise she is in her late 70s."

Coun Dave Punshon said: "Coun Clarke is entitled to his opinion but not to make personal abuse. As vice-chairman Barbara has done a great deal."

Coun Mary Kirkpatrick, also a long-serving member, said: "This is very sad.

"If they had nominated for vice-chairman someone with experience and who has worked hard, I would have voted for them."

Coun Dave Punshon said later: "I expected the challenge but not the reaction to the result. If you are going to resort to personal abuse you should not be in politics. The Tory group had a majority for most of the time Anne Franklin has been a councillor and they never nominated her."

He said Coun Bunn had worked hard as vice-chairman of the Sunnyfield House committee and that next year was her third on the council.

"Being chairman is not a reward for services rendered. We want to encourage younger people to stand for election. A council such as Guisborough is not a sinecure for those who want to stay on forever."

Labour stalwart Coun Keith Pudney said: "I find this totally nauseating. The personal insults hurled at Barbara and Denise were out of order. Bill Clarke demeaned himself.

l Coun Franklin issued a statement which began:

"I have always believed the office of mayor was bestowed in recognition of valued service to the community and the council.

"Apparently this is not the case with this Labour-controlled council. The present mayor and mayor-elect have not served the community in any way. This is purely a political manoeuvre by the ruling party and gives them no credit at all."

l See page 7.