Terry Parish was unable to attend the November meeting of West Norfolk Council's planning committee after being hurt in a car crash, however he followed proceedings online.

He sent his deputy Sue Lintern emails instructing her how applications on the agenda should be dealt with, including controversial plans for a woodland leisure resort near King's Lynn, which were turned down contrary to a recommendation from officers to approve it.

The messages were later obtained by members of the council's rival Conservative group, who said they showed Mr Parish had tried to "pre-determine" the meeting.

West Norfolk council's November planning meeting, which was screened on Youtube (Image: WNC/Youtube) Its leader, Brian Long, said the disclosure made his position "untenable".

Alistair Beales, the council's leader, said: "I've asked for advice from the council's monitoring officer and she's said there's probably enough there for an investigation.

"I've spoken to Terry Parish and he's stepped back pending that investigation."

Mr Parish admitted he had made a mistake, saying it was done "in the the heat of the moment" and compared it to "shouting from the crowd at a football match".

He added: "This matter has caused too much political noise and I have, effectively, self-referred myself to the standards committee for them to debate.

"Until then, I will not chair meetings. "

West Norfolk Council leader Alistair Beales (Image: Chris Bishop) A council........

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