COUNCILLORS have defeated an attempt to pass a vote of no-confidence in Bournemouth council leader Cllr Stephen MacLoughlin.

There were boos and cries of “welcome to Beijing” and “shame on you all you hypocrites” from the public gallery as the verdict was delivered in a recorded vote at the meeting of Bournemouth full council yesterday.

Independent Cllr Anne Rey made the call following the revelation that porn was found on his council laptop computer – a matter which is now being investigated by the standards committee.

Cllr MacLoughlin declined to respond to the calls from councillors Anne Rey and Mike Everingham for him to stand down but earlier told the meeting he regretted what happened, adding: “I apologise to the council for the breach”.

Cllr Rey told the meeting: “I move this motion for the sake of fairness and what is right for this council and town.

“If this matter hadn’t been leaked to the Echo none of us would have known about it. If this had been anyone else it would have been referred to the standards committee and dealt with accordingly, and probably the member wouldn’t be sitting here now.”

She also referred to 20 staff who were put on paid management leave after sending “offensive” emails, branding it “double standards” and said that Cllr MacLoughlin should stand down at least temporarily.

She added: “He should be setting an example. Cllr MacLoughlin has lost the authority and respect which his position commands.”

Cllr Everingham said: “We know that you have had a whip placed on this move preventing this matter from being democratically discussed so that you can remain in office.

“Your actions have brought shame on this council, bringing it into disrepute. You should now consider your position and resign immediately.”

Supporting the move, Cllr Richard Smith said: “It did not seem to cross his mind what it would do to this council’s reputation.”

Cllr Claire Smith said: “This came as a great shock to many of us when we eventually learned of it. The damage has been done not just to Cllr MacLoughlin’s reputation but all our reputations.”

Tory Cllr Rod Cooper replied: “There is no whip as far as I know.”

Earlier in the meeting Cllr MacLoughlin was the subject of a blistering attack by resident Linda Ni’Man who called it a “cover-up”.

The recorded vote was 10 for, 24 against and eight not voting.