A Labour councillor has been suspended after abstaining from a vote that slashed the adult social care budget by £5 million.

Councillor Jeff Hanna, who represents Pollards Hill, was suspended for three months by the council leader after a Labour group meeting on Monday, May 16.

Last month he accused leader Councillor Stephen Alambritis of acting “unconstitutionally” when he was removed from his position as chairman of the licensing committee, losing his £8,000 annual allowance.

April 13: Democracy in Merton? Councillor Jeff Hanna says he was forced out of position after not voting for cuts to adult social care​

Cllr Hanna openly supported a 1.7 per cent council tax precept which could have raised £1.35 million for adult social care before this year’s council budget was set on March 2. However, he claimed that he had been “silenced” on the issue, and later abstained from the budget vote which passed the £5 million worth of cuts.

The only Labour councillor to vote against the cuts, Peter Walker, resigned immediately afterwards.

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

Cllr Alambritis, confirmed that Cllr Hanna had been temporarily suspended.

He said: “On the biggest vote of the year, one is expected to go with the collective responsibility one signs up to when one becomes a councillor.

“Voting with your conscience is to do with religion and temperance. I don’t feel a budget meeting fits into that. We have had many difficult votes over the years to do with all matter of things, but collective responsibility is very important.

“We all have our differences, we all have our issues about the budget but as a Labour group we all agreed on it.

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

“Sadly, Peter Walker voted against it and Jeff Hanna abstained. Both are just as wrong.”

Cllr Hanna will remain a Labour councillor during his suspension and will still be allowed to vote on policy, but will not be allowed into group meetings until his suspension is over.

Cllr Hanna did not wish to comment on his suspension, but said: “I’m delighted that Stephen Alambritis promised to consult residents on the level of council tax for next year.

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

“I will be doing all I can to offer suggestions as to how that consultation should take place and to help residents understand the implications of George Osborne’s cuts to council funding, so they can make an informed choice.”

Cllr Alambritis confirmed the council were looking to consult residents later this year about council tax levels, and dismissed criticisms that the Merton Labour party was becoming dictatorial following the removal of Councillor Andrew Judge from the cabinet.

Cllr Judge voted with the budget, but insiders claim he spoke out against the cuts during party meetings.

April 27: Prominent councillor Andrew Judge is removed from his position in cabinet as fall-out from cuts to adult social care continues

Cllr Alambritis said: “This is a good Labour party. It’s a popular Labour party. I will be the first to welcome Jeff Hanna back into the fold.

“The view of the residents is the most important. Our council is business like and making things happen. Everything else is just tittle tattle. It is just like the froth at the top of a pint of beer.”