A FORMER councillor has complained to police bosses after he was ejected from a heated council meeting.

Noel O'Brien, of Mercer Crescent, Helmshore, claims his democratic rights were affected when he was thrown out of Rossendale Council's meeting in March.

He was removed by police during a discussion on introducing car parking charges in Rawtenstall.

Mr O'Brien, who used to represent the Helmshore ward on the council, claims he was unfairly treated after being asked to leave by the meeting's chairman, the mayor, Coun Eileen Kershaw.

She instructed the attending police officer to remove Mr O'Brien from the council chamber.

David Hancock, leader of Rossendale Council, said the chair felt intimidated by Mr O'Brien's questioning.

Mr O'Brien said in a letter to Paul Stephenson, Lancashire Constabulary's Chief Constable: "I had attempted to raise quite proper points of order under the published standing orders of the council.

"When the officer approached me, I pointed out that I was entitled to raise the point of order and that he should not be either present or interfering at a council meeting.

"I left the meeting of my own accord and visited the Rawtenstall police station to make a complaint to the duty inspector.

"I feel this is a very serious matter which has implications for the proper process of democracy being undermined by the police."

Councillor Hancock said: "The Mayor felt that he was being aggressive and intimidating and wasn't actually asking questions but making statements.

"The Mayor asked him to behave himself but he continued to behave in the same way and she then asked the police to take him out of the chamber. A quarter of an hour later he re-appeared and then continued. He was removed again by police.

"The police were there because of the number of people the consultations had attracted."

A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary said today: "We have received a letter of complaint in relation to this issue which we will be looking into."