RESIDENTS who attend council meetings at Clacton Town Hall have been warned not to film other members of the public.

Tendring Council previously announced it would introduce security measures and rules on filming at meetings after an “abhorrent and unacceptable” protest.

William Hones, of Marine Parade East, Clacton, wore a gas mask to a Tendring Council meeting and “deliberately” coughed during a minute’s silence to late councillor John Hughes.

He claimed it was due to the “stench of hypocrisy” at a council meeting.

Tendring Council leader Neil Stock criticised Mr Hones’ actions, which has included filming councillors from the public gallery, and said councillors felt “intimidated and uncomfortable” by the gas mask incident.

Mr Stock claimed Mr Hones’ actions were “designed to intimidate and scare” and said councillors would not feel free to make decisions if they feared for their safety.

Alton Park councillor Alex Porter disgreed and said the reaction to the protest was “ridiculous”.

However, residents have been told they may be asked to leave meetings if they disrupt proceedings by making excessive noise or if they move outside designated areas.

Mr Hones posted a video on the YouTube website criticising the police for following him into a meeting on Tuesday after he “planted the seed of doubt in councillors heads” he would have another “surprise” for them.

He said: “All the councillors were crying about my gas mask and it made them fearful for their security.

“While crime is happening daily across Tendring our local police want to follow me around at town hall meetings.

“This is the second meeting police have been there.

“Two police officers escorted me into the town hall.

“I got up three times and left the main meeting and each time the police followed me.

“Maybe the police officers would be better used patrolling our streets.”

Mr Hones has been a constant critic of councillors and has been especially outspoken against former Ukip councillors who have defected to other parties.

He previously had a run in with former cabinet member Mick Skeels Senior, who issued threats to Mr Hones and swore at him on the steps of the council building.

Mr Skeels Senior was stripped of his cabinet position after Mr Hones recorded the incident and uploaded it to YouTube.