LIKE some of your previous letter writers, I too watched in disbelief the recent budget setting meeting of Inverclyde Council.

Where others have focused on the accusations against Councillor Jim Clocherty, it is the behaviour of Councillor Stephen McCabe that concerns me most.

He was allowed to openly harass his fellow councillors, it would seem in full knowledge that his behaviour would go unchallenged.

Provost Drew McKenzie, who is responsible for chairing and maintaining civility within these meetings, again failed to protect his fellow councillors from Councillor McCabe's behaviour.

I say again, because as regular readers of the Greenock Telegraph or those who have an interest in local politics will be aware, this is not the first time.

At the previous year’s budget setting meeting, when Councillor Colin Jackson would not support Mr McCabe's budget, a budget that cut jobs and services from Inverclyde, the council leader was allowed to turn his anger on his Labour college, not once but twice calling him a coward.

Provost McKenzie let this go unchallenged, failing to call out Councillor McCabe's attack on a fellow councillor.

But worse is that in attendance at both of these meetings was the chief executive of Inverclyde Council Louise Long. Like the Provost, at no point did she intervene or make any attempt to bring calm.

By sitting and saying nothing, she too is complicit in what is undoubtedly a toxic and unhealthy culture of fear within Inverclyde Council.

It is time this council was held to task and investigated.

Daniel Bell

Greenock