A COUNCIL leader has been accused of ‘double standards’ after reversing a constitutional rule change he introduced six years ago.

In 2013 Hyndburn Borough’s Labour boss Cllr Miles Parkinson changed the regulations governing the choice of Mayoress and Mayor’s consort to bar holders of political office from the ceremonial roles.

This prevented the new Tory ‘First Citizen’ Cllr Judith Addison picking then opposition leader Cllr Peter Britcliffe and Cllr Marlene Haworth as her consort and Mayoress.

On Thursday, Cllr Parkinson introduced an unexpected constitutional amendment to reverse the position when it was pointed out to him it could bar new Mayor Cllr June Harrison choosing her friend Cllr Joyce Plummer as her Mayoress.

Cllr Plummer has bene chosen to join Labour’s ruling cabinet after the party retained control of Hyndburn in May 2’s council elections.

Under the 2013 constitutional change, she would have had to give up that position to take up her Mayoress role.

After Cllr Addison raised a point of order on the issue, Cllr Parkinson called an adjournment to consult current Tory opposition leader Cllr Tony Dobson and borough chief executive David Welsby.

Ten minutes later he introduced an amendment reversing the position to that before 2013. It was passed despite six Labour councillors abstaining and one, Rishton’s Cllr Jeff Scales, voting against it.

Cllr Dobson said: “This sudden reversal of the change is hypocrisy, double dealing and Gerrymandering.

“Cllr Parkinson introduced it six years ago when it suited him to stop Cllr Addison choosing her own consorts and now when it doesn’t suit him he changes it so Cllr Plummer can become Mayoress.

“This shows the original change was petty and vindictive. This kind of behaviour, changing the constitution at the last minute to suit his political purposes, undermines public faith in the council as being fit and proper to run their services."

Cllr Addison said: “This was rather dubious practice. I expected Cllr Plummer to give up her cabinet post. You certainly should not make constitutional changes at ten minutes notice.”

Cllr Britcliffe, now county councillor for Oswaldtwistle who had pledged to reverse the 2013 change, said: “This is petty and vindictive. It is double dealing to suit Cllr Parkinson’s political purposes.”

Cllr Scales said: “I voted against he change as I did not have time to properly consider it and it’s implications. I do not regret my vote.”

Cllr Parkinson said: “The constitution is a living, breathing thing. I decided it was time to refresh it.

“I was actually doing what County Cllr Britcliffe has said he wanted me to do in 2013 so I can’t do right for doing wrong.

“It was time to look at this again. I am never petty or vindictive. I am bigger than that.”

Cllr Plummer said: “I have no comment to make.”

In 2013, Labour’s Cllr Munsif Dad gave up his roles as deputy council leader and a cabinet member to become deputy mayor.