FURIOUS Labour councillors from Ellesmere Port stormed out of a full meeting of Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Leader Cllr Derek Bateman (Central and Westminster), his deputy Cllr Pat Merrick (Grange and Rossmore), Grange and Rossmore councillors Angela Claydon and Tony Sherlock, Paul Donovan (Sutton and Manor), Lynn Clare and Justin Madders (Central and Westminster) and other opposition councillors left the ruling Tories to themselves and the handful of Lib Dems as they were out voted in a bid to debate a controversial auditor’s report.

It involved the multi-million pound sale of County Hall in Chester and the purchase of the new HQ offices nearby which led to questions to the district auditor who recently issued a report.

The report, which Labour argues is critical of the council - in the grip of 55 Conservatives since its inception in April 2009 - has been accepted by the authority’s audit committee.

Cllr Madders, Labour finance spokesman, teamed up with outspoken Chester councillor Reggie Jones (Lab), a former lord mayor of the city, to slap down a detailed motion.

They claimed the auditors had unearthed “a catalogue of financial and legal bad practice” and called on the council to issue “an unreserved apology” to taxpayers and to improve its procedures.

But the agenda made it clear the council would first decide whether to debate the motion or to refer it to the powerful Tory controlled Executive or another committee.

The Tories used their majority to force through a “no vote” on both options which led to a protest from Cllr Bateman.

Chairman Cllr Neil Ritchie (Con) indicated he intended to follow the procedure and Labour councillors promptly swept from the chamber.

Following the meeting a disgusted Cllr Bateman argued the Tories “have invented a new device now printed on the council summons asking the council to vet every individual member’s right to table a notice of motion”.

“This is totally outrageous,” he insists.

“For it not to be discussed openly at all against strong opposition is unbelievable and unacceptable.

“This is another example of a dumbing down of any democracy left operating in the council. It is a typical arrogant attitude with no regard for others which is the hallmark of the secret council.”

"This an absolute disgrace,” fumed Cllr Madders.

“It seems rather than even discuss these findings the Tories behave like some kind of dictatorship that won't allow anything critical to be even discussed.

“None of them should be allowed back on the council after May as they clearly don't believe in democracy or free speech.

“What are they hiding?”

Cllr Jones said: “It’s beneath contempt how they treat any opposition to their plans. Transparency is an unused word here.”