AN investigation has been launched into the conduct of a top Labour councillor after he questioned the integrity of the ruling Tories.

Paul Kirkman, Basildon councillor for Fryerns, and leader of the Labour group at Essex County Council, may be reported to the Standards Board for England by the council.

It comes after he raised concerns about council leader Malcolm Buckley having his wife Sylvia Buckley as the chairman of the development control committee.

The authority is investigating the outburst by Mr Kirkman during last week's committee, which led to chairman Mrs Buckley asking him to leave.

Council spokesman Chris Johnson said: "We are considering reports regarding member conduct at a planning meeting and will take appropriate action."

At the meeting, which included votes over three planning applications linked to the planned sports village for Gloucester Park, Mr Kirkman described the project as a "done deal".

He then questioned the integrity of having Mrs Buckley chair the committee, because of Mr Buckley's influence and how it is perceived by the public.

He told the Echo: "I am not retracting anything I said.

"I was only saying what many other people are thinking.

"It is unwise to have the wife of the leader chairing planning meetings, and I am unhappy with the situation."

Mrs Buckley said: "I approach every meeting with an open mind and took umbrage when his behaviour became aggressive and asked him to leave for the sports village application.

"Everyone is an individual and I do not discuss planning applications with Malcolm."

If reported to the standards board, Mr Kirkman would be the second councillor to face an inquiry in recent weeks.

l Tory councillor John Dornan has been reported to the board after criticising two senior officers' knowledge of the Data Protection Act during a scrutiny meeting.

Mr Dornan said: "I vehemently defend my personal and democratic right to challenge officers."