A top Tendring councillor calling a political activist the ‘c-word’ as he filmed him outside Clacton Town Hall, breached member codes of conduct, says a council report.

Councillors meet on Thursday to discuss what action, if any, to take against Coun Mick Skeels Snr for the outburst, which was put on You Tube and received nationwide publicity.

“Come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough,” was among the phrases recorded.

Tendring Council received three complaints into last month’s incident. They came from William Hones, who was the subject of the tirade; plus two members of the public, Cheryl Button and Joseph Freebody.

Mr Hones has called for Coun Skeels to resign, but the Cabinet Member for Leisure, has apologised for his behaviour, admitting he did breach the council’s code of conduct, but claiming he was provoked.

“From viewing the video footage, it is clear that the actions of Coun Mick Skeels Snr do breach various elements of the Code of Conduct,” wrote Monitoring Officer Lisa Hastings.

“The language used and the offer of violence towards a member of the public questioning the councillor’s elected position clearly brings the council into disrepute,” she continued.

Her report admitted “some history” between William Hones but members are “expected to promote high standards of conduct and not disrespect others based on their behaviour and views.”

In his complaint, Mr Hones, of Marine Parade East, Clacton, also accused Coun Skeels Snr of possibly accessing personal data about his health and benefits status.

However, Mrs Hastings said in her report she had seen an email Mr Hones had sent to councillors sharing this information beforehand, so there was “no evidence” Coun Skeels used council resources to gain such details.

Tendring Council’s Standards Committee can impose a range of penalties, including recommending Coun Skeels Snr be removed from cabinet, council committees or sub-committees and outside bodies for which he represents the council, or he can receive training.

He can also be barred from accessing certain council premises and offices and barred from using certain facilities like a council computer and email address.

“Any sanction considered must be necessary, relevant and proportionate to the matter of the complaint and breach of the code of conduct,” the report added.

Coun Skeels has also been interviewed by Essex Police over the incident, for which he received a caution last week.