A TOWN mayor was blasted by his predecessor for ‘misleading’ councillors over who could enter a Christmas window competition.

During an explosive Whitehaven Town Council meeting, ex-mayor Charles Maudling accused current mayor Chris Hayes of 'telling pure lies’ to the council.

At a town council meeting held in October, Cllr Hayes had told councillors that an annual Christmas window display competition run by Whitehaven Chamber of Trade was only open to businesses which are Chamber of Trade members.

Cllr Hayes had said he would be running a separate competition this year, which would be open to all businesses. He also claimed he'd had a conversation about the competition with Whitehaven Chamber of Trade.

Speaking at the latest meeting, Mr Maudling, who is chair of Whitehaven Chamber of Trade, said: “No conversation was held with me. Only over social media.”

Mr Maudling then produced a screenshot of the conversation on Facebook messenger, which was handed to councillors.

Whitehaven News: A screenshot of the Facebook Messenger conversation between Chris Hayes and Charles Maudling A screenshot of the Facebook Messenger conversation between Chris Hayes and Charles Maudling (Image: Submitted)

It revealed that Cllr Hayes had asked Mr Maudling if the competition was for members only. Mr Maudling had replied ‘no’ and said all businesses were allowed.

He then invited Cllr Hayes to take part in the Chamber of Trade competition and said he could join the judging.

Mr Maudling told councillors: “All businesses in Whitehaven have always been invited to take part in the competition. They don’t have to be a member.

“That is fact. Not the lies that were told here last month.”

Turning to Cllr Hayes, he said: “You brought my name and the Chamber of Trade’s name into disrepute. I would like a public apology.”

Cllr Hayes said: “I don’t think I need to apologise.”

Mr Maudling replied: “I think you do. You’ve told downright lies.”

Cllr Hayes said: “I will reply in private to you.”

Mr Maudling said: “I don’t want it in private, I want it in public.

“You’ve told pure lies. It’s there in black and white that I have told the truth.”

As Cllr Hayes attempted to move the meeting on, Mr Maudling added: “I just wanted to say what a disgrace it was, as the leader of this council, even though you are out of your mayor’s outfit, to say you are going to blackmail [sic] businesses which should be welcomed.

“I think it’s disgusting and I hope there are serious repercussions from this council’s standards and ethics committee.”

Cllr Hayes said he had not threatened to ‘blackmail’ the business.

The mayor came under fire last month following a video clip shared online, in which he had confronted a shop owner over the removal of a town council-owned bench from upper King Street.

Cllr Hayes was heard telling Balazs Csomor, owner of bubble tea shop, the Angry Boba, that his business would be ‘blacklisted’ after Mr Csomor admitted he had taken the seat.