A COUNCILLOR swore at a colleague after threatening to drive into a newly-approved street sculpture during a council meeting.

Ron Woodley, Independent councillor for Thorpe Ward, said he reacted in the “heat of the moment” after a sculpture was approved for Eastern Esplanade, Thorpe Bay.

Following the decision Mr Woodley could be heard saying he was “going to have an accident with my car”.

After being challenged by Carole Mulroney, councillor responsible for environment, culture and tourism, Mr Woodley called her a “piece of s**t”. A formal complaint against him has now been lodged.

The Focal Point gallery was given the go-ahead by Southend’s development control committee to create another “made from this land” sculpture on the pavement at the junction between Lynton Road and Thorpe Esplanade.

The brick and shingle column, together with the other sculptures in the collection, will map out a walking tour of the historical brick fields of Southchurch.

During the meeting on Wednesday, Mr Woodley strongly opposed the application.

He said: “I’m not opposed to the sculpture. What I am concerned about is that it is in a poor location. It would be better located on the seafront on the other side of the road because where it is going to be positioned will lead to an increase in visitors crossing the road unnecessarily.”

Other councillors disagreed and voted in favour of the installation, prompting the outburst from Mr Woodley.

Speaking after the meeting, Matt Dent, Labour councillor for Kursaal ward, said: “We’ve all been in positions where we don’t agree with how a vote has gone. But to respond to that saying you are going to vandalise a piece of artwork when it’s set up is outrageous and not at all the behaviour you would expect of a councillor especially not of someone who has previously been leader of the council.

“You expect better behaviour than that.”

Unrepentant, Mr Woodley defended his remarks yesterday.

He said: “The committee completely got it wrong. It’s outside a residential house and an elderly person lives there.”

Mr Woodley confirmed a complaint had been made. He added: “I called Carole Mulroney a piece of s**t. I didn’t swear other than saying piece of s**t - if that’s swearing.”

Ms Mulroney was unavailable to comment.