A Hampshire chief has come under fire for using his mobile phone during a council meeting.

Eastleigh Borough Council leader Keith House faced criticism from hecklers for using his mobile phone at its latest meeting at King’s Community Church in Hedge End. 

A packed house of campaigners, including those from Action Against Destructive Development Eastleigh, joined councillors to debate the controversial new Local Plan.

The heated discussion meant there were several interruptions from members of the public throughout the evening, including comments directed towards the leader’s mobile use. 

There were also frequent rounds of applause for public speakers and calls for order from the mayor of Winchester, who chaired the meeting.

Hampshire County Councillor Andy Moore, who attended the meeting, also criticised the leader’s behaviour.

“It was rude, inpertinent, disrespectful,” he said.

“We are there to listen. We are public servants.”

Cllr Judith Grajewski told the Echo that phone use does happen at council meetings, but that she herself would not be able to focus on both a meeting and her phone at the same time. 

She added that she thought Cllr House may have been tweeting at the start of the meeting.

At the time of going to press, Cllr House was unavailable for comment. 

The council agreed to focus on large strategic sites predominantly across the north of the borough in the Bishopstoke and Fair Oak area, known as Options B and C.

Development in the area would include 6,000 homes and a new bypass running between the two communities from Fair Oak to Allbrook and linking to the M3.

The council has however, pledged to continue to look at all housing options. 

Work on the Local Plan will now continue with communities having their chance to comment on future proposals as part of a full consultation process planned before summer 2017.