A PROTESTER was thrown out of a council meeting after hurling insults.

Owen English called members of Oxford City Council a “disgrace” and shouted “this is not democracy” after he was told he couldn’t read out a question.

Lord Mayor John Goddard adjourned Monday night’s full council meeting while a member of staff removed the campaigner.

Mr English – wearing a blue T-shirt emblazoned with Save Temple Cowley Swimming Pool – first demanded permission to read out his question. When Mr Goddard refused, the campaigner continued to read his question after his microphone was switched off.

He was warned three times to stop talking.

Council mace bearer Tim Cox, who has worked at the town hall for 42 years, said it was “very unusual” for someone to be kicked out of a meeting.

Mr English was among a group of campaigners battling to save Temple Cowley Swimming Pools.

They handed in a 2,600-signature petition to the council in February calling on it to keep maintaining the pools.

The ruling Labour group, which plans to open a new multi-million pound swimming pool at Blackbird Leys partly funded by selling the Temple Cowley site, has yet to make a final decision.