A CONTROVERSIAL speech made at a mayor-making ceremony which was boycotted by some councillors, was criticised for being "political".

Crowds flocked to the centuries' old ceremony in Harwich on Thursday that saw town councillor Dave Rutson (Community Representatives) formally made town mayor for the year.

Labour councillors Lawrie Payne, Les Double and Garry Calver didn't attend the ceremony, which has been held in the town since 1604.

They chose not to be there because of a row over a ten-point plan for Harwich, parts of which Mr Rutson did not support.

During the proceedings, Steven Henderson, leader of the town council (Community Representatives), spoke of how the councillors should have risen "above their bitterness" and attended.

But two Community Representative colleagues of Mr Henderson's have now said the comments should not have been made.

Town councillor Jacky Wares said: "I don't think it was the right place and right time. As far as I am concerned, I thought mayor-making was to give the mayor his day. It was not the right time to make a political speech."

But Mr Henderson defended his speech.

He said: "It wouldn't have been a political event if the Labour councillors had turned up."