A COUNCILLOR opposed to plans to demolish more than 1,000 homes, has been removed from his council's planning committee.

Labour councillor Ken Walker says Middlesbrough Council's decision to drop him from the committee is "a vindictive action''.

He claimed the move has been made because he refused to support the Labour Group's decision to demolish 1,500 properties in central Middlesbrough, 1,100 of which are in his Gresham ward.

But Labour group leader Councillor David Budd claims the decision is a "natural consequence'' of Coun Walker's current suspension from the group for his continued, outspoken opposition to the large-scale demolition of older terrace houses.

Coun Walker said: "This spiteful action has been taken by a man that cannot and will not justify publicly to Gresham and Middlehaven ward residents why their homes must be demolished.''

Coun Budd, who is also Middlesbrough Council's cabinet member for regeneration, said: "He has chosen by what he has done to oppose the group view, and this means group facilities, privileges and so on, are going to disappear with that.

"It's not vindictive; it's a natural consequence of everything else.''

Independent Councillor Joan McTigue, a member of Middlesbrough Council's planning committee, said Coun Walker attended every planning committee meeting and every site meeting.

She described Labour's dropping him from the committee as " an absolute disgrace'' and added: "Are there no depths to which Labour won't sink?"

Coun Walker has this week invited Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to visit his ward in Middlesbrough.

In his letter of invitation, he writes about the demolition decision: "The effect will be devastating for the community in central Middlesbrough. There is absolutely no reason why these 1,500 structurally sound homes should not be renovated without taking them from existing owner-occupiers.''