COUNCIL leader Peter Burns has spoken publicly for the first time about a furious pub row which has landed him in hot water with political friends and foes alike.

He spoke exclusively to the Macclesfield Express after stormy scenes about the incident erupted at a meeting of the full council.

Bitterness marked the start of the meeting as Mr Burns' arch political enemy, Coun Brendan Murphy, launched into a question about the affair, which has caused anger and division among local Conservatives.

Coun Murphy, the Independent Conservative representative for Tytherington, demanded to know why Coun Burns hadn't taken the "the honourable course" resulting from the "public scandal caused by reports of the conduct of yourself and others in a public house in Prestbury" - and resigned.

Coun Murphy was referring to altercations involving Coun Burns and Disley Women's Conservative Group chairman, Gloria Russell, in the bar and dining room of the Legh Arms.

Some constituents were so concerned about the incident that they contacted the town's MP Sir Nicholas Winterton, who has spoken privately to key people about the incident.

The row triggered by the amazing scenes as Macclesfield's top Tory councillor expressed his angry feelings has already caused a vote of no confidence in him to be tabled by Liberal Democrat opposition. That was withdrawn on legal advice.

Angered by the subject being raised again, but controlled in his response at council meeting, Coun Burns turned the tables on Coun Murphy and called for him to quit because of his own turbulent council career.

As sparks flew in the chamber, a council insider said: "This is a grudge match that just goes on and on. It's personal."

After the meeting, Coun Burns spoke exclusively to the Macclesfield Express about the continuing feud with Coun Murphy, and the incident at Prestbury, which was investigated by police.

Said the council and Tory group leader: "I am not prepared to listen patiently to fantasyland remarks about my resignation from Mr Murphy, a man who was thrown out by his own party, and who had to be ejected from a party meeting.

"And on the subject of conduct, let's not forget that it was Coun Murphy who was criticised by the local government ombudsman for his role in a controversial planning matter."

Mr Burns added: "There was a row in Prestbury involving a person and people I have known a very long time.

"But who can say they have never had a row and spoken sharply to people they know? It is part of life.

"As far as I and those concerned see it, the matter is over and it was a storm in a tea cup.

"It is not a worthwhile matter to bring up at a meeting of the council. We have more important things to discuss."

But Gloria Russell, 60, said: "This incident was more than a row, and I haven't forgotten it.

"I have agreed to draw a line over the incident but I am still owed an apology from Mr Burns for the way I was spoken to.

"And I was disappointed that after I called in the police that night, I was left by Conservative Party members to wait on my own outside on a dark and dismal night for the police to arrive."

The angry scenes had erupted following a meeting, chaired by Mr Burns on October 22, which was considering reinstating two Tory members who had signed nomination papers for Brendan Murphy's successful candidature to stand for election as an Independent Conservative.

Mrs Russell has told police she does not want to press charges.

Coun Murphy himself revealed he was expelled from the Conservative group on the council in his absence - when he wasn't able to defend himself.

And it was Coun Burns who had proposed that he be expelled.

Coun Murphy added: "It is true that I effectively expelled myself from the local party because I chose to stand against an official Conservative Party candidate, but I have since been invited to rejoin the party.

"And as for the remarks about me by the ombudsman, regarding Danegate, they were wrong and unfair about my role.

"I am not trying to hound Mr Burns. I simply wanted to know if he hasn't done anything improper or illegal in the pub incident at Prestbury then why hasn't he explained himself so that we can put the matter to rest?

"But what I got from Mr Burns at the meeting was a diatribe of abuse against myself, and then he asked ME to resign. When I tried to reply the Mayor ruled me out of order."

In April this year Coun Murphy claimed he was physically ejected from Tory HQ in an angry bust-up with Coun Burns.