A DEPUTY mayor has been stripped of office after being accused of "obstructive, abusive and aggressive behaviour" following a row with his town clerk.

The behaviour of John McGowan, Deputy Mayor of Clitheroe, was said to be below the standard expected of an elected member holding public office.

But Coun McGowan, 46, a retired council parks worker who was mayor for two years until May, claimed he was the victim of "a dirty trick".

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

A meeting of Clitheroe Council was told the former mayor had failed to respond reasonably to communications on the matter and had displayed obstructive, abusive and aggressive behaviour.

He had failed to accept repeated opportunities for mediation, to apologise for his behaviour and had made "inaccurate and misleading comments to the Press."

Clitheroe Mayor Alan Yearing told councillors the matter had been discussed to a "considerable degree."

"Both parties were asked to respond to a series of suggestions aimed at sorting out the situation, but I only received comments from the town clerk. There has been ample opportunity to deal with this matter other than the proposal before us," he said.

Coun Stephen Sutcliffe said: "I have much regret that we have been put in the position of having to consider this motion. It's disastrous and very sad." Councillors voted seven to two to remove Coun McGowan from office.

After the meeting Coun McGowan said the move had come as a complete surprise. I have tried to apologise several times for what happened, but to no avail. It is a dirty trick and I am disgusted," he said.

Mayor Alan Yearing said he was upset at the outcome of the matter, but the decision hadn't been taken lightly.

"We have come to this conclusion after a great deal of thought and consideration, but this is the last thing any of us wanted. I am very sad," he said.

Coun McGowan, who has been a Clitheroe councillor for nine years, said he would also be quitting the Liberal Democrats on Ribble Valley Council.

He would now be standing as an Independent on the town council and a Labour member on the borough council where he represents Edisford, Low Moor and Trinity.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.