COUNCILLORS in Thurrock have become embroiled in a right royal row.

Conservative councillor for Aveley, Maureen Pearce, has voiced her disappointment after two Labour councillors Phil Smith and Martin Healy did not support her motion to congratulate the Queen on her diamond jubilee at the last full council meeting.

Cllr Pearce, a former mayor of Thurrock, said: “My motion was completely non-political and I merely wanted the council to come together in sending our thanks and best wishes to the Queen.

“Aside from her wartime service to this country, Her Majesty has reigned impeccably for 60 years.

“It was disgraceful that Labour cllrs Phil Smith and Martin Healy deliberately snubbed our Queen by not supporting the motion, I am sure their constituents, many of whom would have been celebrating and enjoying the Jubilee recently, will be aghast at their needless show of contempt and it just highlights how out of touch and ridiculous this pair are.”

Cllr Healy told the Gazette he did not support the motion because he isn’t a royalist.

He said: “ As much as I like and respect Her Majesty the Queen, I am simply not a royalist.

“I am however very pleased Tory councillors are upset with me.

“It is about time someone upset local Tories.

“Their Government has slashed public services and their Government is doing their best to wreck havoc in the UK Economy.”

Cllr Phil Smith declined to comment.