Merton Labour is in turmoil once again as the ousted chairman of the licensing committee has called for an investigation into the council leader, after he says he was forced out for voting against cuts to adult social care.

Councillor Jeff Hanna, who was a vocal supporter of a 1.7 per cent council tax precept which could have raised £1.35 million for adult social care, claimed he was “silenced” during attempts to discuss it in February.

February 22: Merton Labour accused of intentionally silencing and misinforming councillors in leaked email dispute over adult social care cuts

He later abstained from the controversial Labour budget vote on March 2 as a “matter of conscience”.

The Merton Labour Party had asked for a free vote on the issue, but it has been alleged that councillors were threatened with disciplinary action if they did not support the budget.

The passed budget included cuts of £5 million to adult social care, including scrapping the meals on wheels service and mental health charity Imagine Independence, reducing support packages for the vulnerable and those with disabilities and a number of staffing reductions. 

Cllr Hanna has now been removed from his position as chairman of the licensing committee by council leader Councillor Stephen Alambritis, losing his £8,000 annual allowance.

He had been in the role from April last year, and is succeeded by Councillor Agatha Akyigyina, who voted with the majority.

The only other Labour party member to break ranks and vote against the budget, Peter Walker, resigned that night.

March 3: Peter Walker resigns from Merton Council as cuts to adult social care are passed in the budget

In a statement released through Merton Labour party, Cllr Alambritis said: “I replaced Jeff on the licensing committee as I believe other councillors are more suited to the role.

“Labour in Merton have frozen council tax this year for the sixth year in a row because we have listened to residents.

"We will be asking people if they want us to continue to freeze their council tax next year.

“It will be up to residents to decide, not politicians.”

March 3: Merton's budget meeting: Here's what was said by all the parties

At a full council meeting on April 6, Cllr Hanna accused Cllr Alambritis of acting unconstitutionally. This was disputed by the chief executive Ged Curran.

In an email sent by Cllr Hanna on April 1 to all members of the Labour Group, and leaked to the Wimbledon Guardian by an anonymous source, Cllr Hanna said Cllr Alambritis said he was being removed because of his “behaviour in relation to this year’s budget”.

He said Cllr Alambritis is “in breach of the party’s disciplinary procedures”, and argued discipline should only be imposed by chief whip, Tobin Byers, after a full investigation into his conduct. 

Cllr Hanna also called on Cllr Byers to investigate Cllr Alambritis.

Merton Labour party declined to comment further on the allegations.