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"Everyone is leaving but I'm not. My dad says it's more honourable to die in your own house than to run away."

It went on to list a series of ways staff could raise issues, before adding that resignation was an "ultimate recourse" and "honourable course" for those with profound disagreements over government policy.

"I think last week I was overly rude and I apologise. I do respect the honourable member," he said.

Dan Harrison, who was elected as the council's leader on Wednesday, told the BBC the former police officer was an "honourable, decent man".

But he said he found it tricky to vote for candidates who he thought were"morally reproachable" and at the local elections, he wanted to vote for those who deemed "honourable and upright."