Councillors urged to work together for Wolverhampton

He has maintained a dignified silence through decades of debates in the council chamber in Wolverhampton.

So when Sandy McNaughton finally got the chance to speak his mind, he made sure he didn't hold back.

The 65-year-old has worked for the city council for more than 20 years and leaves on February 15. As senior keeper he looked after security at the Civic Centre. Normally, he stands at the back of the room and stays silent during meetings, his role to ensure safety in the council chamber.

This involved keeping an eye on protesters so they did not break the rules.

But Perthshire-born Mr McNaughton was invited to step forward after a tribute from the mayor, Councillor Malcolm Gwinnett, at this week's full council meeting ahead of his retirement.

After receiving a standing ovation from councillors, Mr McNaughton, of Ash Grove, Albrighton, took his opportunity and spoke of how he loved his "fantastic job".

But then he told councillors: "There are things you need to do for the kids of Wolverhampton. They need a place to go outside of school and get them away from crime and drugs.

"And because I've just reached 65 the other people you should look after are the older people of Wolverhampton.

"They are the people who made Great Britain great. They won't ask for help but they need somewhere to go. So put politics to one side and work as a group."

Mr McNaughton then had to resume his position at the back of the chamber while councillors traded insults over the lack of women in the Labour cabinet and Tories threatened to walk out when it appeared one Labour councillor, Susan Constable, had not voted.

In the end the vote was tied and the Labour group won by default. The meeting then had to be hastily closed as councillors shouted across the floor.

Mr McNaughton said: "Their behaviour was utterly disgraceful."