SENIOR councillors were reminded “not to solve things with fists” as a heated row broke out during a council meeting.
A formal complaint has now been lodged after the former deputy leader of Basildon Council, Kerry Smith, invited Tory councillor Phil Turner “outside”.
The complaint to Basildon Council’s standards board was submitted yesterday by Mr Turner, after the pair became embroiled in the spat.
Councillor Jeff Henry was seen moving his chair away from the desk in order to stop the pair coming face-to-face.
Both Mr Smith and Mr Turner have accused each other of bullying.
Phil Turner, councillor of the Billericay West ward, said: “I was continuously heckled and interrupted by both Jack Ferguson and Kerry Smith.