Allegations of sexism and bullying within Deal Town Council are being referred to the Local Government Secretary, Eric Pickles.

The complaints were made in minutes of a grievance panel meeting, which was leaked to the Mercury, over the resignation of town clerk Lin Dykes.

The allegations accused the Mayor of Deal, Marlene Burnham, of bullying, sexism and breach of confidentiality. Three other town councillors – Labour group leader Ian Killbery, Cllr Kath Blackburn and another councillor not named in the minutes – were also implicated in the accusations.

Now Deal businessman Andy Maple is referring the matter to Mr Pickles, a move backed by Deal’s Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke.

Mr Elphicke is also calling for a proper and thorough investigation and says Labour leader Ed Miliband should step in and take control.

He said: “I am shocked and appalled that there has been no action into this disgraceful behaviour.

“It is very important to involve Eric Pickles. I think that is the right thing to do as a matter of local government but particularly it’s about the disgraceful behaviour of representatives of Labour in Deal.

“The national Labour Party and Ed Miliband need to step in but they're too weak to take action."

On bonfire night there was an anonymous protest outside Deal Town Hall. Pictures surfaced on social media sites showing lit fireworks and a painted sign claiming to have symbolically blown up the town hall in protest at the "shenanigans."

Cllr Burnham, who is known to have been very upset by the leaking of the minutes and by Mr Elphicke's comments, told the Mercuryn it is inappropriate to comment on the allegations.

For more details, see this week's East Kent Mercury.