A motion of no confidence against the leader of Cheshire East Council Coun Michael Jones failed today.

Instead a vote of confidence in support of Coun Jones as leader was voted for at a meeting of the full council at Sandbach Town Hall.

Leader of the Labour group Coun David Newton and Coun Sam Corcoran had put the motion forward.

But the pair had the tables turned on them when 46 members of the council voted to amend the motion to support Coun Jones.

As the motion was debated Councillors Newton and Corcoran both spoke out against Coun Jones, criticising his record and highlighting various controversies the council has been involved in under his leadership – including allowing council officers to draft tweets for his personal Twitter account in breach of council rules.

Coun Newton also referred to the council paying £1,000 to host a stall at a Conservative conference under his watch. He later paid footed the bill from his own pocket.

Coun Newton said: “It is unacceptable that two controversies came to light only after questions were raised by diligent opposition councillors. His leadership style belittles other councillors. His careless, ill considered and defamatory remarks meant that a live web cast had to be edited. We are not prepared to be bullied.”

But comments Coun Corcoran made about Coun Jones’ personal business dealings were removed from the record after an outcry from the conservatives during the meeting.

Coun Corcoran faced jeers from the Tories and cries of ‘get out’.

The meeting was also interrupted by a passionate member of the public who rallied against Coun Jones and then went on to verbally attack the meeting’s chair, Mayor of Cheshire East Wesley Fitzgerald.

A number of councillors then leapt to Coun Jones defence, citing his record as leader and his commitment to the role.

Several conservatives spoke about investment in business and research and development that Coun Jones has bought to the borough, as well as council tax freezes.

A couple of conservatives accused Labour of ‘stooping’ to the motion of no confidence as they had nothing else to attack the council about.

Coun Margaret Simon said the motion of no confidence was ‘gutter politics’.

And just before the motion of confidence in Coun Jones was passed, deputy leader of the Independent party Coun Arthur Moran illustrated why he would not vote against Coun Jones.

He said: “We all know we have disagreed with the leader. But I have disagreed with other leaders in my time.

“I will not be supporting this motion. It is up to the people of Cheshire East to make their comment at the ballot box in May.”