THE leader of Maldon District Council has said "enough is enough" after last night's council meeting was abandoned early and members left in protest.

Thursday's full council meeting ended early after police officers were called to the council offices due to accusations independent councillor Chrisy Morris was “breaching the peace”.

Mr Morris could be heard shouting “point of order” repeatedly.

Members left the meeting early after chairman Mark Heard urged them to rise and walk out in protest.

Read more: Police called to council meeting after councillor brands colleagues 'idiots' in ban row

In an interview with BBC Essex this morning, Mr Morris said: "What I said I needed to say. It was very simple, I had a point of order which the chairman should deal with as soon as it's brought to his attention.

"They wouldn't allow my point of order, which was undemocratic in itself.

"I'm a democratically elected representative. I've got the right to speak. I'm there to speak and I simply have not been allowed to speak."

Maldon District Council have since released a statement on the last night's events.

Wendy Stamp, Maldon District Council’s leader, said: “Enough is enough. The public may be seeing councillor Morris’s disruptive behaviour for the first time at last night’s council meeting.

"However, this has been a regular occurrence and we cannot tolerate this type of behaviour any longer and put Members and Staff through any further distress.

"Our focus as a Council is to provide services to residents and to act as the democratic voice.

“The attacking and disruptive behaviour of Chrisy Morris cements the outcomes of two independent investigations into his behaviour.

"Despite the alarming findings in these investigations, councillor Morris has continued to breach the Council’s code of conduct.

"The first item of business last night was to agree the findings in this report and the sanctions it sets out. His actions clearly disrupted debate on the sanctions from taking place.

“His repeated disruptive calls for a Point of Order were not accepted by the chairman, as Mr Morris did not state which procedure rule his Point of Order referred to, despite being urged to by many of the council’s members.

"The chairman repeatedly asked Mr Morris to desist his behaviour and having no other option, he followed due process in asking Members to vote that ‘the Member be no longer heard’ and this was supported by all Members without dissension.

Council chairman Mark Heard said he was concerned for the duty of care of staff present.

“As the disruption continued, the Police were asked to attend as councillor Morris was preventing the democratic business of council," Ms Stamp continued.

“It’s important to state that his repeated allegations of corruption are completely unsubstantiated. Councillor Morris has not provided any evidence, nor are we aware he has reported these allegations to the Police.

“Any further comment at this time may prejudice any further investigations that take place.

“It is disappointing what took place last night prevented important areas of work the Council would have debated, including the Local Development Plan, Langford and Ulting Neighbourhood Plan, and an exciting partnership to support community health, safety and wellbeing.”