Conservative councillors have tried to kill off an attack on Boris Johnson over the 'partygate row', describing it as 'defamatory'.

A row erupted at the full meeting of Richmond Borough Council meeting last night – Tuesday - over a move by Liberal Democrats to censure Mr Johnson over allegations of 'lies'.

A Lib-Dem motion called on the Council to write an official letter to Downing Street on behalf of residents condemning the Prime Minister's alleged failure to abide by the rules and calling on him to resign.

Conservatives on the Council mounted an unsuccessful attempt to kill off a motion and then abstained on the vote.

The motion read: "Richmond Council notes that the Prime Minister has misled Parliament and lied to the residents of the borough.

"This Council notes that while the Prime Minister attended Downing Street parties, residents of Richmond upon Thames obeyed the lockdown rules, often at huge personal cost or sacrifice.

"This Council notes the significant financial impact upon local businesses who have been closed due to the lockdown or tier regulations."

It added: "This Council calls upon the Leader of the Council to write to Boris Johnson stating that council has no confidence in his leadership and calls for him to resign."

Conservative Councillor Geoffrey Samuel tried to block the motion, arguing that it was defamatory, 'out of order' and not the role Council to get involved in the partygate controversy.

Cllr Samuel said he had 'no quarrel with the subject matter of the motion', however he insisted it was not the job of the Council to take a view.

Fellow Conservatives, including the group leader, Cllr Paul Hodgins, agreed and refused to vote on it. He said the issue was one for Westminster to deal with rather than the Council.

Cllr Samuel said: "I have no quarrel whatsoever with the subject matter of the motion. The views that are expressed in it are receiving support from across all political parties."

However, he argued that the motion was 'out of order' because the Council has no duty to involve itself in an issue that is outside its role and responsibilities.

He said: "I would submit this is not a topic that comes within the ambit of this Council.

"The legal advice I have is that this is libellous and is therefore defamatory. And if it is defamatory, Mr Mayor, then you should rule this out of order."

He said Richmond residents have not raised concerns about Boris Johnson with him, adding: "Many of us get a lot of contact from our residents and not a single resident has contacted me on this.

"Many have contacted me on bins and things for which the Council is responsible. What would concern me, Mr Mayor, is if you allow this, you are opening the floodgates that we, or any party or individual can put down for discussion a motion on an issue of national politics."

Lib-Dem Councillor, Cllr Michael Wilson, who proposed the motion, accused the Conservatives of trying to take away the voice of Richmond residents.

He said: "While those in Downing Street were having their cake and bringing their own booze, the children of this borough couldn't even visit a playground, they were shut.

"Residents kept to the rules, not just to the spirit, they adhered to the letter of the law. It is a disgrace where we are today, it's an attack on our democracy…the party really is truly over."

The motion was seconded by Cllr Petra Fleming, who said: "This pandemic has had a significant impact on myself as a Richmond resident and my family with the loss of a close family member.

"The behaviour of this PM has been utterly disgraceful … The unselfish residents of Richmond borough have put their own mental health aside for the good of the community towards the common good.

"Again, how has Boris Johnson repaid the residents I ask you? Yes, with parties, parties and more parties.

"We are all equal before the law. Trust is now broken. There is no going back and this incompetent PM must now stand down."