A COUNCIL meeting descended into chaos after Ukip councillors stormed out – accusing the administration of acting illegally.

The group – except for one member – stormed out of the Basildon Council chamber after chief executive Bala Mahendran threw out their allegations.

Ukip leader Linda Allport- Hodge claims the Tory administration’s order paper, which sets out which members will make up council committees, does not follow legal guidelines set out in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

She accused the council leader Phil Turner and his fellow Conservative of blocking Ukip’s legal entitlement to a seat on the planning committee, and claimed preferential treatment was given to smaller political groups.

Speaking after Thursday night’s meeting, Mrs Allport- Hodge said: “Councillor Turner may believe he is God-like in granting the Lib Dem and Independent Labour councillors seats they are legally not entitled to, but the law is the law. Ukip are different and the ‘you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours’ syndrome doesn’t stack up with Ukip. He can dream on if he believes he can block Ukip by flouting the law.

“Ukip tried on several occasions to raise legality issues, but it fell on deaf ears."

The session was adjourned for 90 minutes while council officers investigated the claims made by Ukip and tried to come up with a solution.

When Mr Mahendran returned he said the council didn’t believe they were acting unlawfully, but they would continue to investigate the claim after the meeting.

However, after Mr Mahendran suggested the vote to pass the proposed order paper went ahead, Ukip councillors got out of their seats and left.

David Harrison, who represents Wickford Park, was the only member of the group who stayed behind and took part in the vote – which was passed.

He said: “I was elected to represent the people of Wickford and that is what I will do.

“I may not agree with the order paper, but I understand the administration has to put one in place. I’m pleased to be a part of the council and I think walking out is an easy option. It was much harder for me to stay.”

The council chamber was left stunned as the drama unfolded.

Mr Turner said: “My respect for David Harrison has gone up.

To stand up for your party after they have deserted you is admirable.” Gavin Callaghan, leader of the Labour group, criticised Ukip as a “destructive force in Basildon politics.”

And Kerry Smith, leader of the Independence group, added: “It should have been a nice evening, but one group decided to throw their toys out of the pram.”

THE SET-UP OF COUNCIL’S COMMITTEES BASILDON

Basildon Council is under minority Conservative control, with the party having 18 members. Ukip is the largest opposition with 11 councillors, while Labour and the Independence group have two seats each and the Lib Dems and Independent Labour groups each having one seat.

Ukip claims its prominence on the council means it should have more committee seats.

UKIP’S PROPOSALS ARE: 

Planning: Four Conservative, three Ukip, two Labour, one Independence.

Employment and general purposes: Two Conservative, One Ukip, One Labour, One Lib Dem/Independent Labour.

Audit and risk: Three Conservative, two Ukip, two Labour.

Licensing: Five Conservative, three Ukip, two Labour, one Independence.

Joint standards: One Conservative, one Ukip, one Labour.

Overview and scrutiny: Four Conservative, two Ukip, two Labour, one Lib Dem/Independent Labour.

THE CURRENT MAKE-UP OF THE COUNCIL IS: 

Planning: Four Conservative, two Ukip, two Labour, one Independence, one Lib Dem/Independent Labour.

Employment and general purposes: Two Conservative, two Ukip, one Labour.

Audit and risk: Three Conservative, two Ukip, one Labour, one Independence.

Licensing: Five Conservative, three Ukip, three Labour.

Joint standards: One Conservative, one Ukip, one Labour.

Overview and scrutiny: Four Conservative, two Ukip, two Labour, one Lib Dem/Independent Labour.