Communities Secretary steps into row over right to film Keighley Town Council meeting

The Communities Secretary warned authorities last month to stop using false legal objections to prevent people recording proceedings.

He issued fresh guidance to town halls that they should not seek to "suppress reporting or a healthy dose of criticism".

But campaigners in Keighley, who tried to put his edict to the test, were told it was against council rules amid dramatic scenes at Keighley Town Hall when police were called to clear the public gallery yesterday.

Town mayor Councillor Sally Walker repeatedly asked members of the public in the gallery to stop filming the monthly town council meeting.

The group of about a dozen people included Graham Forsyth and Elizabeth Mitchell, who had told of their plan to film the meeting beforehand.

They argued that the Government's own rules applied to all public council meetings, and that these rules now allow them to film.

After the meeting was adjourned for a second time shortly before 6pm the police were called, and six officers arrived shortly after 7pm.

Deputy mayor councillor Lionel Lockley accompanied them upstairs, where Mr Forsyth asked what grounds were being used to remove him and the other members of the public.

The gallery was cleared peacefully and the people were escorted out into the corridor, but continued to insist on their right to film.

The town council meeting resumed at 7.15pm.

The campaigners recounted their experience on Twitter - sparking a reaction from Mr Pickles.

"Keighley town council seems to have lost the plot," he posted.

"A good council is one open to public scrutiny."

Last week a member of the public was threatened with arrest as he attempted to film a meeting at Huntingdonshire District Council.

Citizen journalist and campaigner Richard Taylor was eventually allowed to continue after a long stand-off, when council members intervened.