Liberal Democrats attempted to strip East Cambridgeshire District Council s leader and deputy leader of all allowances this week. They claimed that leader, Brain Ashton, pictured, and deputy leader John Humphreys, should not be paid because they had not b

Liberal Democrats attempted to strip East Cambridgeshire District Council's leader and deputy leader of all allowances this week.

They claimed that leader, Brain Ashton, pictured, and deputy leader John Humphreys, should not be paid because they had not been voted into their positions.

The move brought a heated response from Conservative councillors, who branded the Lib Dems, "petty" and "pathetic" but has forced the district council to consider rewording the constitution.

In full council meeting on Tuesday, councillors were considering a report made by an Independent Remuneration Panel and voting on whether all councillors should receive a pay increase.

Liberal Dem, Jeremy Friend-Smith, called for the amendment

He said: "This council is breaking the constitution and we would be making a gesture to Council Tax payers by removing their allowances."

Conservative, Philip Read, said: "I find this all petty and pathetic. The Lib Dems are just clutching at straws and wasting council time.