I've told Ashdown how I was fired!

John McGowan has also revealed he has written to retiring Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown asking him to look into the events.

Coun McGowan was removed from office as Clitheroe's Deputy Mayor by seven votes two at a council meeting on Monday.

But he said the motion for his removal was put before the meeting without warning and came as a complete surprise.

The row centres on an internal dispute between Coun McGowan and Clitheroe town clerk John Wells.

The meeting heard the former mayor had failed to respond reasonably to communications or accept repeated opportunities for mediation on the matter and had displayed obstructive, abusive and aggressive behaviour.

Clitheroe Mayor Alan Yearing said there had been "ample opportunity to deal with the matter" other than Coun McGowan's removal from office. Coun McGowan, who has been a Clitheroe councillor for nine years, said he would be calling for an investigation.

"I didn't get a copy of the motion before the meeting and it was handed out shortly before the debate," he said.

"I was absolutely dumb-struck when it was rushed through.

"The disagreement between myself and the town clerk has no bearing on my suitability as deputy mayor and I am calling for an immediate investigation by the National Association of Local Councils."

Coun McGowan, who is now quitting the Liberal Democrats on the Clitheroe and Ribble Valley Councils, added: "My constituents have been contacting me to say how shocked they are at what has happened.

"People are very concerned about what it going on within the Liberal Democrats at Clitheroe town hall.

"There is no chance of me resigning as a councillor.

"The voters put me there and I intend to continue doing my best for them."

Coun McGowan will be an Independent on the town council and a Labour member of the borough council.

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