WE'VE long argued that, just as Worcester has suffered over the years for being home to folk who won't stand up and make a big noise, so it has lacked a vibrancy in its civic leadership.

That hasn't been the case since Gareth Jones slipped the Mayoral chain over his head.

In the summer, he said that the sooner the city's art deco Northwick Theatre gave way to apartments "the better".

Last Saturday, he told us that the Ann Summers "naughty knicker" shop chain had no place in the Faithful City's historic High Street.

Like us, many might not have agreed with those views, but vigorous debate sets the pulses racing and, with it, the heart of the community.

However, there's a limit. And he appears to have stepped over it last night, when three councillors stormed out of a meeting in protest against his so-called "appalling" behaviour.

His assertion that "I can say what I like" contradicts the standing order rules which govern how a council meeting's conducted.

Having spoken out of turn, and then criticised the three Labour members' "childish behaviour" in walking out, it does seem odd for him to admit his comments were ill-timed - then justify them by complaining that his opponents were attempting to stifle a political view because they didn't agree with it!

Though the council chamber has long been - and should always be - a place for healthy, sometime emotional jousting, last night's spat does him no credit, and risks doing the same for the Mayoral office he holds.