RESIDENTS of Handforth have been described as the ‘rent-a-mob’ by a parish councillor.

At a meeting on Tuesday, February 14, members of Handforth Parish Council heard that Cllr Michael Thompson used the remark before walking out of a finance committee meeting on Thursday, January 19.

While discussing the minutes of the meeting in question Cllr John Smith, chairman of the finance committee, asked for the comment to be included in the minutes.

He said: “Cllr Thompson described parishioners as the ‘rent-a-mob’. He said that and then left the building.”

Cllr Cynthia Samson, chairman of Handforth Parish Council, told members that she had requested the comment was recorded in the minutes at the time, and said she had asked for Cllr Thompson to apologise for the remark.

In response, Cllr Thompson said: “I was not there to apologise – I had walked straight out.

“We are here to agree with the minutes, not amend them as such. We are here to correct the minutes if they are not accurate.”

Councillors voted in favour of amending the minutes to include the comment by three to two.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Thompson told the Guardian that he was disappointed the comment had been released in full council.

“That comment was made in private – it was at a parish council meeting, but it was made in private as far as I’m concerned,” he said.