PENDLE Liberal Democrats have been accused of 'murdering demo-cracy' as Nelson councillors prepare to elect a chairman for the third time in as many months.

But Lib Dem leader Coun Alan Davies, whose group controls the council, claims his party is standing up for the people of Nelson who have been 'disenfranchised' by Labour 'gerrymandering'.

The row kicked off in May when Labour Coun Colin Waite was elected chairman of the committee despite there being a Liberal Democrat majority. Lib Dems claim Labour took advantage of two councillors being absent to get their man into the top job.

When a special meeting of Nelson Committee failed to topple Coun Waite from the chair, Liberal Democrats forced through changes to the constitution at the last full council meeting.

Now, Nelson Committee has been told to appoint a chairman and vice-chairman for the third time when it meets on Monday.

Labour group deputy leader Coun Mohammed Iqbal said: "Residents will recall the attempt to murder democracy at the full council in June by the ruling Liberal Democrats in which they changed their rules to try and get their man into the chair of the area committee. This has never happened before in Pendle and should be condemned by democracy loving people. I would urge residents of Nelson to come to the meeting and express their views at this bully boy tactics being used by the Lib Dems."

His comments were echoed by Conservative group leader Coun Tony Beckett.

He said: "This is their third attempt to overthrow democracy. It would appear the Liberal Democrats want power at any price and they are going to get it whether it is right or wrong and will change the rules so it will be right.

"It's about time the Liberal Democrat party grew up and accepted results as they are and got on with the job they are supposed to be doing, rather than power seeking."

But Coun Davies said his party was actually saving democracy by pursuing the chairmanship.

He said: "It's a matter of democracy within the town, not within the council. The Labour group was voted out in two consecutive elections and it is only their gerrymandering which allowed them to take the chairmanship. Nelson has rejected Labour policies completely - it's ridiculous to have a Labour chairman.

"The council has revised the constitution so the largest group on each area committee will have the chairmanship. We are aiming for fair and reasonable democracy."

Nelson Committee will meet in Nelson Town Hall on Monday at 7pm.