A MAYOR’S unconventional departure from office during an open meeting was better than television, according to an astounded public spectator.

Bob Gaffey, mayor of Mold for 2017/18, was due to pass on the mayoral chain to his successor, Councillor Karen Hodgkinson.

But in his final address to the chamber as mayor, Mr Gaffey left his colleagues shocked and flustered when he refused to hand over the chain – placing it on the desk and announcing his resignation instead.

At the town council's annual meeting on Wednesday evening he began with frosty comments about the lack of support shown to him by councillors, explaining: “I would like to start by talking about a charity concert I had a few weeks ago in Theatr Clwyd.

“There were 500 seats but unfortunately we only got 120 seats sold. [Cllr] Yvon [Jones] has written the list of the councillors who came to support us from the town council.

“It is virtually blank. There is one name - Cllr Andrea Mearns. Thank you Andrea for your support.”

He then went on to talk about the handing over of the chain, stating he based his decision not to hand it over in the traditional manner following the actions of his predecessor.

He continued: “For 100 years the convention in this chamber is that the outgoing mayor takes his or her chain off and puts it around the neck of the incoming mayor. Last year Cllr Anthony Parry choose not to do that.

"He took it off, dumped it on this table, forcing [town clerk] Samantha Roberts to put the chain around my neck.

"The good news is that I am going to continue the tradition because I will not be putting this chain around Karen's neck.”

He went on to speak about an email he had circulated to all councillors a year ago on the subject of moral duty, which he stated they did not take his advice over.

He added: “You have created a red line - in good conscience I cannot cross that red line.

"And just as I'm totally convinced that Donald Trump is not morally fit to be president of the United States, I'm totally convinced that Karen is not fit to wear this chain.

“As a result I am standing down from this council."

Following his comments there was uproar from councillors, with several labelling his comments ‘disgraceful’ and thanking him for his resignation.

Mr Gaffey’s consort Yvon Jones also announced her resignation, following which they both left the council chamber before the next agenda item began.

Clerk Samantha Roberts apologised to the chamber – which was packed as many members of the public had attended for both the election of the new mayor and the presentation of the Sid Matthews Community Awards.

She said: “I would like to apologise to our visitors here this evening. That was totally unexpected.”

Several councillors admitted during the rest of the meeting that the unexpected move had left them ‘flustered’ but one member of the public said she felt the meeting had been ‘better than television’.

Councillors went on to officially appoint Cllr Hodgkinson as mayor of Mold 2018/19 and Cllr Tim Maunders as deputy mayor.

A spokesman for Mold Town Council said yesterday: "The Town Council regrets the manner and nature of the comments witnessed by those present. In particular, as there were many guests and community award winners in attendance.

"The town clerk, Mrs Samantha Roberts on behalf of the Town Council, would like to express sincere apologies to all the guests and award winners for any embarrassment caused.

"Over the 12 months that councillor Bob Gaffey was mayor almost £6,000 was raised with the assistance of the town council through many fundraising events, including the Historic Mold event, Christmas Santa Dash and a Charity Dinner Dance at Theatr Clwyd.

"The money raised has been pledged by Cllr Gaffey, as mayor of Mold to the Bailey Hill Project, which if successful in a second round Heritage Lottery Fund application, will attract over £1m investment."

Mrs Roberts added: “I am saddened by the events of last night, which is totally out of character for Mold Town Council.

"Clearly there has been a breakdown in relationship between one or two individuals which can happen in any organisation.

"I would like to thank Bob Gaffey and Yvon Jones for their contributions to the town council and the community during their period as councillors and wish them well for the future.

"I would also like to congratulate councillor Karen Hodgkinson on her appointment as Mayor for 2018/19.

"As a town councillor since 2014, Karen has worked tirelessly in the community having a constant presence at council and other community events and has revitalised the Daniel Owen Centre in her role as manager.”