A COUNCILLOR has resigned over his party's stance on the controversial Ghost Ships project - as two more of the toxic fleet set sail for Teesside.

Michael Turner has quit the Labour Group on Hartlepool Borough Council, saying his colleagues have failed to show unequivocal opposition to the plan to dismantle 13 former US Navy vessels on the outskirts of town.

A Labour Party statement on Coun Turner's resignation said members were completely opposed to the scheme for Able UK's yard.

But documents obtained by The Northern Echo show their leader, Councillor Moss Boddy, backed the £11m plans in mid-August, and senior council official Peter Scott told the Health and Safety Executive there was support from the Cabinet because of the "considerable significance to the economic regeneration of the area".

Minutes from the council's regeneration and economy portfolio meeting on August 14, chaired by Coun Boddy, said: "The portfolio-holder did understand the sensitivity surrounding the contract but felt confident that arrangements were in place to ensure the work was undertaken in a satisfactory manner.

"The portfolio-holder indicated his support for the project primarily due to the job-creation potential for local people."

Yet the statement issued by the Labour Group yesterday said: "It is very clear that the concerns existed at the outset of this issue in July and August and have, indeed, increased.

"The position of Moss Boddy is exactly that of the Labour Group."

Coun Turner, who represents the Seaton Carew ward, described the U-turn as linguistic gymnastics prom-pted by public outrage.

He said: "My feeling is we have not been unequivocal and clear enough against the proposal to bring the ships.

"The people of Hartlepool have not received a categorical, clear political message from anyone to say that they do not want the ships."

Two ships from the mothballed fleet, moored on the James River in Virginia, started their 4,000-mile voyage to Teesside last week, and two more set sail last night, including the Canopus, which Friends of the Earth said contained more than 600 tonnes of deadly PBC chemicals and asbestos.

Coun Boddy could not be contacted last night, but a statement from the Labour Group's secretary, Sandra Fenwick, said: "We will be contacting Michael to chat about his concerns and discover if his position can be resolved to his, and the Labour Group's, mutual satisfaction."