A FORMAL investigation has been launched into an independent member of Maldon District Council after allegations about his behaviour.

The probe comes after Councillor Richard Dewick made an official complaint against Chrisy Morris at the end of November.

Mr Morris has been accused of “boorish” and “disrespectful” behaviour which allegedly disrupted the council on several occasions.

In the complaint, Mr Dewick claims Mr Morris made “slanderous” accusations in an overview and scrutiny committee meeting on November 14.

He said: “In my view the statement was at least disparaging and worse, slanderous to individuals and questioned the integrity of the council as a body.”

He then claims Mr Morris continued to ignore the committee chairman’s requests to stop speaking.

Mr Dewick’s complaint claims a full council meeting in October had to be to be adjourned because of Mr Morris’s behaviour.

Mr Dewick alleges that in another full council meeting in November, Mr Morris again behaved in a “disrespectful” manner that could have caused the suspension of council for a second time.

Mr Morris has hit back at the allegations and claimed they were “politically motivated”.

He said: “Their attempts to bully and silence me will not work – I have have been elected to voice my concerns and ensure the community is best served.

“There are 31 councillors at Maldon District Council that have been democratically elected by the people to serve the people.

“It is my honestly held belief and personal opinion that most of the decisions made are given to a select number of senior Conservative councillors which then force other Conservative councillors into to implementing them with the Tory slim majority.

“This seems to be totally undemocratic.

“The Tory group at Maldon District Council seems to be totally out of touch with the community.

“Before we consider moving from the current council offices perhaps we should focus on providing more doctors for our residents.

“There are some excellent and brilliant councillors at Maldon District Council in both the Conservative and Independent groups that are not being allowed to serve their community.”

Maldon District Council declined to comment.