An award-winning writer got councillors so hot under the collar that they proposed a motion “rejecting” the views expressed in his column.

The “Barney Liar” column in the Teesdale Mercury annoyed councillors with a column about Teesdale District Council’s new chief executive.

The Barney Liar, who is current North East Columnist of the Year, referred to comments the new chief had made comparing running a council to running a chocolate factory.

The Barney Liar joked that “the most frequently-used additional ingredients for use in chocolate bars are nuts”.

But councillors were not amused and a motion was put to the vote and carried “That the views expressed in the Barney Liar colum of the 7 July edition of the Teesdale Mercury, including its criticism of the new interim chief executive, be collectively rejected by members, and that members declare their full confidence in the new chief executive.”

No one at the council was available for comment on the vote.

In this week’s column, Barney Liar said: “The council is so secure, so strong, that it can’t even take a mild joke at its expense.

“Perhaps the councillors concerned wanted to reassure the new chief, or even impress him with their virility.

“Either way, I wouldn’t have thought a man with his experience needed a pair of ageing minders; I’m sure he’s quite capable of looking after himself.”

He added: “In the piece in question, the column wished the new man good luck, and meant it.”