Tory leader faces Babergh ban after planning meeting row

The ban depends on him being re-elected to the council in May - and on a decision by the new council's member.

The council's monitoring officer is recommending he is suspended from the planning committee for a year.

The recommendation came after there were complaints about Mr Barrett's behaviour at a meeting in January when he clashed with officers, other councillors and members of East Bergholt Parish Council when an application for new homes in the village was discussed.

He was alledged to have spoken disrespectfully at the meeting and made other attendees feel uncomfortable.

The council found: "Councillor Simon Barrett must be reminded that while he may enter into robust debate, he should be mindful not to make any comments that could be seen to discredit officers and must not make his comments personal."

Mr Barrett accepted he had had a "robust" exchange with planning officers - but he felt there were deficiencies in their report and disagreed with their conclusions.

He said: "Planning meetings are supposed to be there to decide planning matters - but just roll over and accept whatever officers recommend!"

Derek Davis denied he had ever broken confidentiality rules. (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown)

He was also critical of independent councillor Derek Davis, currently the council's vice chairman, who revealed the sanction on his Nub News website.

Mr Barrett said: "How can you be a councillor with access to confidential information and a journalist writing about the council?"

Mr Davis insisted he had never broken confidentiality rules and had regular conversations with the monitoring officer about what he could and could not reveal.

He said: "It is sometimes frustrating when you find out something but you can't say anything about it - but that is what council work is about."