COUNCILLOR Jenny McGee burst into tears and resigned in frustration after a stormy meeting of the turbulent Hughenden Parish Council.

Fellow parish councillor Gary Parr has threatened to follow in her footsteps and Cllr Ron White says he will not stand for re-election next year following another tumultuous meeting on Tuesday night.

Cllr McGee is the third councillor to resign this year. A member for eight years, she wept at the end of the meeting and resigned the following day.

Cllr McGee told the Bucks Free Press: "I cried in frustration that we get little done because of one member."

Fellow councillor Gloria Leflaive was twice formally censured in votes at Tuesday's gathering. More than half of the two-hour meeting was spent with angry exchanges between her and her colleagues. It led to nine councillors backing and one abstaining from a censure motion which referred to Cllr Leflaive's "abominable behaviour over ten years".

Cllr Leflaive shouted: "You won't stop me with your votes, whatever you do."

Councillors backed another motion which said they deplored her "unwarranted criticism" of four councillors and the parish council clerk which she had made in a letter to all councillors last month.

One of Cllr Leflaive's complaints which sparked the latest heated debate was councillors' approval of plans for a new doctors' surgery.

District and parish councillor Richard Pushman said Cllr Leflaive's conduct had led to the resignations of two clerks and several councillors in recent years and that he had consulted a solicitor about remarks he says she made about him.

"We're trying to get on with business here and every month her behaviour sours and bogs down our work," he said.

Defending herself Cllr Leflaive replied: "I've done nothing to be sorry about. I stand for what's right. You've done wrong with improper conduct and remarks. I'll not shut up to suit you."

Referring to Mrs McGee's resignation after the meeting, she said: "I'm sorry she's gone. It's a shame. Anyway, she said she was going to step down at the next election."

Referring to the censure motions she said: "I think I've acted decently and honestly in the face of unfair conduct."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.