BURY party leaders clashed over a motion to suspend a bus lane in the town.

The Council's Labour leader, Cllr Rishi Shori and Conservative opposition leader, Cllr James Daly exchanged sharp words after Tory party members put forward a motion to suspend the bus lane in Bolton Road, A58.

Cllr Daly urged councillors to vote for their amendment, however the Labour party introduced an amendment, suggesting the bus lane be looked at more carefully and a consultation undertaken.

This led to an argument where Cllr Daly accused Cllr Shori of calling him 'dishonest' and demanded an apology from the council leader.

Conservative Cllrs, Susan Nuttall, Jackie Harris and Roy Walker all spoke in support of the motion.

Cllr Nuttall said: "Don't reject this motion just because the opposition has put it forward, do the right thing.

"Seventy per cent of residents do not want this bus lane."

She also outlined that part of the problem was that the bus lane is in three sections, leading to congestion and confusion.

Cllr Harris, seconding, added: "This motion is to relieve traffic congestion, especially at peak times."

She said 74 per cent of households in Bury own at least one car and this motion would benefit them.

Cllr Walker detailed his fierce opposition to the bus lane from its installation 13 years ago. He said it had cost £2 million to install.

He said the bus lane was meant to be part of the Bolton to Littleborough Orbital Bus Corridor, which never came into existence.

Labour's Cllr Bayley spoke in support of the lane saying to give buses priority was to recognise their importance as efficient modes of transport.

Cllr Quinn then introduced the Labour party amendment which, instead of seeking to suspend the bus lane by January 15, as the Conservative members hoped, would see any action stalled until decisions were made by Greater Manchester authorities and a consultation taken place.

Cllr Daly said: "I spoke to a senior officer in the council and he told me if we were getting rid of the bus lane we would need a consultation but if it's suspended no consultation is needed.

"The people of Church Ward are being treated differently because they voted Conservative."

Cllr Shori then asked Cllr Daly which councillor officer he spoke with and Cllr Daly refused to name the officer, accusing Labour of wanting to hang that person out to dry.

It was during the resulting exchange of words that Cllr Daly demanded Cllr Shori apologise for slandering him.

Cllr Daly said: "You said what I have said is dishonest and I want an apology now."

Cllr Shori disputed he said that. Saying he did not use the word dishonest.

After a back and forth during which Cllr Daly repeatedly asked for an apology and Cllr Shori repeatedly denied using the word dishonest, the Mayor Cllr Dorothy Gunther, who was chairing the meeting, asked both parties to settle their dispute and Cllr Shori apologised for any offence which had been caused.