The leader of Babergh's Conservative Group was today excluded from a Cabinet meeting for being disruptive.

Simon Barrett, ward member for Great Cornard, verbally abused Alastair McCaw, Babergh's portfolio holder for Customer Service and Digital Transfomation, and councillor for Brantham.

Cllr Barrett could be heard making rude and disparaging comments while Cllr McCraw was speaking during a debate on Babergh Growth Fund and budget and was asked to remain polite while voicing his objections.

As Cllr McCraw was explaining his view that this has been the most informed budget ever, Cllr Simon Barrett interrupted with: "I am not prepared to listen to this rubbish."

In the session, recorded live on You Tube, chair, Babergh leader John Ward, asked Cllr Barrett to behave or the meeting would be suspended and he would be told to leave.

However, Cllr Barrett insisted he would not be quiet while Cllr McCraw praised staff and gave reasons why he supported the motion to approve the General Fund Budget and four year outlook.

The meeting was suspended, the live recording halted and Cllr McBarrett was told to leave the chamber, his wife Melanie Barrett went out with him.

Babergh leader John Ward today excluded Simon Barrett for disruption

Upon resumption of the formal meeting, Cllr Ward apologised for the enforced break and explained: "We have had a bit of bother and I have had to ask Cllr Barrett to leave the meeting for his disruptive behaviour."

It is not the first time Cllr Barrett has clashed with Shotley peninsula representatives and breached council rules.

He led a boycott in protest after a vote of no confidence in Ganges ward member Derek Davis as Babergh's vice chairman failed by a large majority.

A previous attack on Cllr Davis led to him and other Conservative Group members being replaced on the cabinet, as the Tory group split and leader John Ward, Stour Ward member Mary McLaren and Sudbury councillors Jan and Adrian Osborne, all left his group and became Independent Conservatives.

Simon Barrett has history of poor behaviour

In June 2022 Cllr Barrett was found to have breached the Councillors' Code of Conduct by making an obscene hand gesture towards leader John Ward, and was ordered to apologise to full council. That has earned him the nickname 'Onan'.

The business owner from Sudbury has previously been found to have breached the Code of Conduct and ordered to apologise after being disrespectful to a council officer in 2018.

In 2017, Cllr Barrett was also suspended for three months by Conservative group after he was accused of leaking confidential information at an open meeting.