An attempt to oust a council vice chairman for sharing a post calling Conservatives "b*stards" on Facebook has been lost.

A motion to oust Shotley peninsula councillor Cllr Derek Davis from his position at Babergh, put forward by Great Cornard councillor Cllr Simon Barrett yesterday, was lost by 16 votes to seven.

The post referred to read: "If you start with the basic and fundamental premise that all Tories are utter b*stards, no one will ever prove you wrong."

Babergh council on Thursday niight

Cllr Davis, an independent council member for Ganges ward, admitted to sharing the post but stated he took it down promptly and apologised.

He said: "I totally reject the suggestion this affects my impartiality as Babergh's vice-chair in any way.

"If, by sharing this post, any of the ever-dwindling number of people that identify themselves as Conservatives were offended, I apologise for that.

"During my seven years-plus as an Independent Babergh district councillor representing Ganges ward, I believe I have demonstrated a completely unbiased approach to working with all members.

"I have always put people before party politics and have worked closely with both Conservatives and non-Conservatives in a constructive and impartial way.

"I look to continue in this role and will continue to respect all aspects of the office."

Cllr Simon Barrett lost mostion and earlier made apolgy for rude gesture

Conservative councillor Peter Beer, also from Great Cornard, said: "To call Conservatives b*stards is totally out of order.

"It implies the people who voted for me and other Conservative members in this room are b*stards.

"Cllr Davis should have known better, and anyone that supports him staying needs to look at their consciences."

At the council meeting yesterday, the councillor who brought the motion forward – Cllr Simon Barrett – apologised for an obscene hand gesture he made at a previous council meeting.

*Full story here.

The Conservative group, all seven of them present, were packing their bags as the electronic vote as being processed then stormed out when they lost 16-7, with two abstentions, which included the independent chair.