A COUNCIL leader had denied he has been ousted following a row about an alleged breach of election rules.

Councillor Ivor Morgan, chairman of Thornaby Town Council, insists he is still the elected leader.

But a full council meeting this week, held in his absence, passed a vote of no confidence in Mr Morgan and declared he was no longer the chairman.

The row comes after the council voted last month to invite fraud squad detectives to investigate claims that Thornaby Independents printed campaign leaflets on local authority equipment. The group said it paid for the leaflets and no probe was necessary.

Clerk Leanne Plant said in a council statement: "Full council accepts that printing on behalf of Thornaby Independent Association was, without question, a bona fide business agreement between them and Thornaby Town Council office.

She said the council remained non-political in its views, although it apologised for any harm or inconvenience to the association due to Coun Morgan's actions.

"A vote of no confidence has been cast against Coun Morgan and he has ceased to be chairman."

But Coun Morgan said: "The public has every confidence in me as chairman.

"There is an election on May 1 and the people of Thornaby will decide who they want then."