Coventry councillors banned from sending Twitter messages

Coventry city councillors have been banned from sending messages on Twitter during meetings.

The order was made at a full council meeting this afternoon following complaints that politicians were posting messages via their phones.

Labour councillor Dave Chater said councillors were putting messages on the micro-blogging website rather than taking part in the debate.

Tory councillor Kevin Foster described then ban as ‘‘ridiculous’’

MP Bob Ainsworth pointed out that MPs are allowed to tweet from the commons.

The ruling meant Telegraph political reporter Les Reid was the only live tweeter in the Chamber.

Some Conservatives left the meeting to post updates on their Twitter pages.