A CLOUD of controversy hung over the Farnham Town Council's Liberal Democrats this week, as one member resigned and another was ejected from the council.

Willy Marshall angrily handed in his notice and stormed from the council buildings during a meeting after being interrupted on a point of order by fellow Lib Dem Victor Scrivens.

And former town mayor Victor Duckett has been told that he cannot stand as a Lib Dem in the forthcoming elections in May. He had failed to toe the party line in a vote over the election of deputy mayor.

Mr Marshall, elected to serve Hale and Heath End in 1990, was one of the longest-serving members of his party. He confirmed his resignation was with immediate effect, and that it was over a specific individual in the council.

He said: "I joined the council when there were only three other Liberal Democrats on it. I have always represented the town and people of my ward. I have not gone for mayor as I have just wanted to represent people.

"Now I can say what I like about Farnham. I don't think money has been going to the right places."

He said he would miss working with colleagues, but will "continue to the best of my ability to represent the town on Waverley Borough Council".

Declining to comment further, he is issuing a statement next week.

Victor Scrivens said he had done nothing improper in raising a valid point of order while his colleague was speaking.

He said: "Mr Marshall is a good chap, whom I have a lot of time for. I hope he changes his mind about resigning. I just made a point of order and he said 'that's it'.

"The discussion we were having was very useful. We were trying to organise funds for arranging disabled access to the church, which I am proud to be associated with."

Mike Clark, chairman of Farnham's Liberal Democrats, played down talk of divisions emerging in the party.

He said the resignation incident at last Thursday's committee meeting was unrelated to Mr Duckett's dismissal.

Of Mr Marshall's departure, he said: "This comes as much a shock to us as it does the public at large. From what I can recall, Mr Scrivens made a point of order and was not given much of a chance when Willy said he was resigning. He seemed very emotional and I believe he had been meaning to do it that night, as he appeared to have given it some thought."

He did not believe Mr Scrivens' interruption had prompted his decision to quit, but added that Mr Marshall would be genuinely missed and had been a leading member of the party.

Mr Duckett will be able to remain on the council until May.

Mr Marshall's resignation leaves the council composed of 11 Lib Dems and six Conservatives, with one vacant seat.