An election hopeful has demanded a public apology after being ejected from Thursday’s meeting of Silsden Town Council.

Andrew Rowley said he was humiliated to be asked to leave by council chairman and town mayor Christopher Atkinson. Mr Rowley claims he was told he could not attend the meeting, which is open to the public, because he was not on the electoral roll for Silsden.

Shipley man Mr Rowley, who said he had been considering moving to the Silsden, is the Conservative candidate for Craven ward in Bradford Council’s forthcoming elections.

Coun Atkinson is the election agent for fellow town council member Adrian Naylor, who will stand against Mr Rowley as an independent in the elections.

Coun Atkinson this week confirmed that he had asked Mr Rowley to leave, at the request of vice-chairman Coun Keith Savage.

Coun Atkinson would not comment any further, saying he was a busy man and would release a statement “when I get round to it”.

Mr Rowley, 46, a housing enforcement officer, said he had sat at the back of the room before the meeting and did not speak.

He said that just before the meeting started he was asked to leave the room by Mr Atkinson.

Mr Rowley said. “This was a disgrace and a blow for local democracy. This is the thin end of the wedge and totally unacceptable.

“I was humiliated in public with no legal foundation to support their reason, these meetings are open to the public regardless of where they reside.”

Mr Rowley said he would seek legal advice unless he received a public apology and the resignation of the chairman, vice-chairman and town clerk.

Coun Savage was not available for comment yesterday.

The Public Bodies (Admission of Meetings) Act 1960 states town and parish councils must admit members of the public to their meetings.