AN angry resident has demanded an apology from the council leader for saying people “shouldn’t s*** on their own doorstep”.

Colchester Council leader Mark Cory (Lib Dem) made his feelings clear on people who carelessly drop litter in the town centre.

He was quoted in the Gazette saying people should not “s*** on their own doorstep” and then complain the town centre is not clean enough.

He went on to say it was everyone’s responsibility to respect the town.

However, at a full council meeting, resident Trevor Orton said Mr Cory’s choice of words was “unjustified”.

Mr Orton said: “I feel the remark made by councillor Cory was grossly unfair.

“He cannot blame people for the Vineyard Street lifts which have not worked for years, and he cannot blame these people for the state of the pavements that have been deteriorating.

“I believe councillor Cory owes us an apology, it should come forth and should be made clear.”

However, Mr Cory refused to apologise for his choice of words, standing by his view that keeping the town clean is everyone’s responsibility.

He said: “I feel I have made my views absolutely clear on this matter. In that story I went on to explain how it is up to all of us to make sure we keep the town shining.

“We are putting in extra resources, above and beyond what we had before. We are investing and we are trying to address these issues.”

He then implied Mr Orton should apologise to him for claiming he doesn’t walk around the town and register the problems.

Mr Cory added: “I do walk around the town centre, so if you want to make an apology to me in terms of those statements I will accept that.

“But I will not apologise, I made clear it is a part of all of our remit. The council does not make the mess, it cleans it up.”

Martin Goss (Lib Dem), councillor responsible for waste, said 14 new recycling bins were being installed in the town centre and the lift was being repainted next month.