BURY'S 12-strong Conservative group stormed out of the full meeting of Bury Council last night in a row over the withdrawal of written questions relating to a disgraced ex-councillor.

The walk-out came after three written questions submitted by the Tories had been ruled out of order by the mayor, Cllr Stella Smith.

The written questions were tabled following a court case involving ex-Tottington councillor Simon Carter. After pleading guilty to 16 counts of making indecent images of children, he was given a community order at Bolton Crown Court last month.

He resigned his seat in September ahead of being sentenced.

Conservative group leader Cllr Iain Gartside raised the issue of the withdrawn questions at the meeting and was told by the mayor that the action had been taken following legal advice. Seconds later, he and fellow Tory councillors left the chamber and did not return for the remainder of the meeting.

Speaking to the Bury Times after the walk-out, Cllr Gartside said: "We were seeking reassurances that all safeguarding processes were adhered to throughout by the council. But before the meeting, we were told the questions were being withdrawn because of data protection. Can I just stress that walking out was the last resort for us."

Leader of the council, Cllr Mike Connolly said: 'We were astonished that the Tory group behaved in this way and left the council chamber. The chamber is where we debate and discuss and yes, sometimes disagree. We all need to conduct ourselves with the highest standards possible. In my view the Tory group disrespected the mayor, the people that voted for them, and brought local democracy into disrepute."