Amid rowdy scenes at a heated full council meeting, councillors gave their overwhelming backing to the motion raised by members of the Alliance of Independent Members to support a "vote of 'No confidence' in the elected mayor's style of leadership and conduct, which conflicts with the best interests of this council."

Coun David Hughes, who proposed the vote, called for a "rebellion" against the mayor to end his "elected dictatorship".

But although 42 out of 57 councillors voted against him, Mr Winter has vowed to continue in office until at least the next election.

Refusing to speak at the meeting, Mr Winter told a press conference afterwards the vote against him was a "politically orchestrated campaign" and described it as "victimising and harassing an innocent man."

He said: "This will damage an awful lot of political careers but it won't have damaged mine."

He concluded: "I will complete a second term. That is what 46,000 people elected me to do."