THE latest meeting of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Shadow Authority has been condemned as a "political fiasco", according to a frustrated councillor.

Independent Christchurch member Colin Bungey said he would have walked out of the meeting on Tuesday night if he had driven himself, such was his disdain for the "total debacle" that took place.

The meeting at Bournemouth University featured several incidents of insults, derogatory comments and rudeness.

While speakers attempted to make points during debates there were often calls of "disgrace".

Cllr Bungey address his colleagues towards the end of the meeting to admit his disappointment at how the meeting had played out.

He said: "I sit here amazed this evening to hear some of the comments and political badinage that has gone on.

"This is supposed to be a serious discussion, not sniping at one another.

"Some of the councillors, with some of the comments they have made, should be ashamed of themselves."

Speaking to the Daily Echo yesterday, Cllr Bungey said the shadow authority is not discussing important issues related to services, such as adult social care and children who need support.

He said: "I thought the whole meeting was a total waste of time.

"If I had been in my own car I would have walked out in disgust.

"The meeting was a political fiasco. None of the important issues are being discussed openly or by the whole shadow authority."

Bournemouth senior councillor Mike Greene embarked on a political attack on the Liberal Democrats at the meeting.

Cllr Bungey said politics was "destroying local government" and that many councillors were on on a "power trip".

Poole Liberal Democrat councillor Vikki Slade said she had concerns about the behaviour of shadow of authority chairman Cllr Ray Nottage.

She said that Cllr Nottage's approach to ordering opposition members to "speak to the motion" was not repeated for Conservative speakers.

At the end of the meeting, Cllr Nottage praised the overall level of the debate, before he apologised for members who became "a little bit tetchy towards each other".

The concerns about how councillors conducted themselves at the meeting were also raised by Bournemouth member Blair Crawford.

He said: ""I have been disappointed by the tone of some of our debate this evening.

"If I am elected, I will be standing not just to represent my ward, but to represent this entire area of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, for which I am proud to live in.

"I believe we should all have that aim, with the talk of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole as separate entities is actually put to one side as we fight together for all of the residents in the entire area."