The speaker of Shropshire Council today explained why he didn’t allow a discussion on the removal of a former key player at the Shirehall from seven committees.

And as the row surrounding Peter Nutting continues, Labour councillors in Telford have rallied behind their leader over claims he leaked confidential information on how part of the £250 million Southwater development in the town was to be funded.

Tory leader of Telford & Wrekin Council leader, Andrew Eade, said his Labour counterpart, Keith Austin, was no longer welcome when the decision-making cabinet was discussing private matters.

The ruling came after Councillor Austin claimed the authority would have to borrow £58 million to fund the relocation of its headquarters to Southwater – an allegation strongly refuted by the council leader.

Councillor Nutting had been deputy leader at Shropshire Council but lost his cabinet seat last month.

He is believed to have been sacked from the executive of the Tory-run council by leader Keith Barrow over what was seen as a challenge to Councillor Barrow’s authority.

A meeting of the full authority on Thursday confirmed the appointment of members to replace Councillor Nutting on seven groups, including the economic recession committee and PFI project team.

He asked if the leader could confirm that he (Councillor Barrow) had asked for him to be removed from committees.

The speaker, David Lloyd, said this was an issue for Councillor Barrow to reply to on a personal basis to Councillor Nutting.

Today Councillor Lloyd said there would have been discussion if the council had been discussing the “whole system” of appointments to committees.

At Telford, after a closed doors meeting of the Labour group, members have come out behind their leader.

Group chairman Councillor Richard Overton said: “They felt that Councillor Eade had been a judge and jury without any evidence and has prejudged the matter by denying Councillor Austin attendance at cabinet meetings.”

Council chief executive Victor Brownlees said an invitation had been extended to the deputy leader or any other member of the Labour group to attend in Councillor Austin’s place.

By Dave Morris