Police have interviewed a councillor following an allegation that he assaulted a colleague during a public meeting.

Stephen Stoddart, ward councillor for Moorclose, allegedly assaulted a fellow councillor during a Workington Town Council meeting last month.

A spokesman for Cumbria police said: "Police have interviewed the suspect and enquiries are ongoing. The suspect attended a voluntary interview."

Coun Stoddart, who represents the ward on the town, district and county council, was reported to the police after the full council meeting of January 31.

The draft minutes of the meeting said when the council was considering the minutes of the policy and resources committee meeting of January 23 a query was raised. However it was noted the item could not be discussed due to legal reasons.

"At this point a councillor became very animated, and used inappropriate and threatening language. The chair was forced to temporarily adjourn the meeting at 6.36pm for order to be restored. The meeting reconvened at 6.41pm," the document said.

Nobody was injured during the incident.