A BITTER row has broken out among council parties which has seen the resignation of an opposition leader amid allegations of ‘bullying and intimidation’.

Cllr Joe Cooney has announced he intends to stand down as leader of Pendle Council Conservatives after six years and said ‘bullying’ was a reason why.

The group leader has claimed senior Pendle councillors ‘openly intimidate and bully members who dare to speak their minds or suggest an alternative view.’

He also claimed the arena of politics in the borough is ‘toxic’ and has ‘got worse over the last couple of years.’

But Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors have dismissed his bullying claims and accused him of not turning up to important council meetings.

Cllr Cooney said: “The arena of politics in Pendle is toxic, and it has got worse over the last couple of years. Senior councillors openly intimidate and bully members who dare to speak their minds or suggest an alternative view. “

He also accused Liberal Democrat councillor Tony Greaves, deputy leader of Pendle Council, of subjecting him to ‘personal attacks’.

He said: “The personal attacks I’ve been subjected to by the likes of Cllr Tony Greaves are simply unacceptable.

“Despite repeated complaints to senior officers, no action, no support and no attempt to change the atmosphere within the council has been made.

“This has been a major contributing factor towards my decision to stand down.”

But Cllr Greaves accused Cllr Cooney of ‘not doing his job at all’ and being in Washington DC during one meeting.

He said: “The bullying claims are totally untrue and if you look at social media, I get subjected to personal attacks all the time from the right-wing element and Tory supporters.”

Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, Labour leader of Pendle Council, said Cllr Cooney’s claims were ‘totally unfounded’.

He said: “His attendance at meetings has been abysmal over the last two to three years.

“He has missed two important council meetings, including a full council one in December and the budget meeting in February.

“If he’s not interested in being a councillor, maybe he should consider his position as councillor and step down.”

Cllr Cooney added: “For the December meeting, I’d been on holiday in Santiago and my return flight had been delayed and my luggage was lost in the airport, while in February I had a holiday I booked in Washington.

“I will not be stepping down as a councillor and will continue my roles within Pendle council, the county council and on Colne Town Council, which I enjoy immensely."

“These comments from Cllr Greaves and Cllr Iqbal show that everything is personal and not about politics.”