A FORMER council leader who sensationally resigned during a public meeting said he stands by the criticism he levelled at his Tory colleagues.

Peter Halliday quit as leader of Tendring Council earlier this month after an emotionally-charged rant.

Speaking this week, Mr Halliday reiterated his view, accusing some councillors of selfishness and having double standards.

Mr Halliday, 45, of Gorse Lane, Clacton, said: “It was the most difficult decision I have made in my life. I have never felt the need to walk away from anything before.

“However, I havemy principles and always keep to them and I didn’t feel comfortable working with some people.

“There is quite some difference in the Tory party and a difference in attitude towards getting things done. There are double standards among some councillors.

“We had a job to do, in terms of creating jobs and facilities, but some councillors are happy as long as it is not in their own back yard.”

During the outburst at the cabinet meeting on Friday, December 13, Mr Halliday accused Clacton MP Douglas Carswell of doing “diddlysquat”

for his constituency, branded one Tory councillor a liar and claimed the local Conservative Party had behaved inappropriately.

He said he could not work with “deceiving, lying individuals”.

Mr Halliday said he did not hold a grudge against the Tory party and praised his fellow cabinet members.

He said: “The policies we were working on over the past few years are the right ones for Tendring.

“We have the second biggest sea defence scheme in the country about to start and other projects.”

Mr Halliday, who runs Clactonbased landscaping and building firm, P Halliday Ltd, said he would not rule out returning to politics.

He said: “I would never say never.

“But I have a wonderful wife who I have forgotten what she looks like, and my business has mainly been run by my son for the past few years – they will get my complete attention now.

“I have had e-mails and phone calls from every member of the Harwich and North Essex branch of the Conservative Party to express their support and to say thanks.

“But I have had just two from councillors in Clacton and the surrounding area.

“To anybody thinking of getting into local politics all I can says is: Do it for the right reasons, do it with a public agenda not a personal one.”