CAMPAIGNERS have labelled a move preventing them from asking more questions about the controversial dismissal of a council boss “a dark day for local democracy”.

Liberal Democrat campaigners have criticised Brighton and Hove City Council officers’ decision to block a petition calling for answers over the recent removal of outgoing CEO Penny Thompson and her “bumper six-figure payout”.

Lead petitioner Jeremy Gale planned to use the petition to ask why the council meeting confirming the end of Ms Thompson’s tenure was held behind closed doors, the reasons behind her exit, the cost of the payout at “a time of budget pressures” and what safeguards would prevent a repeat in the future.

Council officers however refused permission for the petition to be displayed on the authority’s e-petition site saying it raised “potential legal sensitivities” which could not be discussed in a council meeting.

A second proposed petition by campaigner Steve Parry has also been rejected.

Mr Parry had hoped to launch a petition calling for Brighton and Hove City Council not to pay the £269,000 agreed settlement to the outgoing council head who left the council today.

The request had been submitted the day after Ms Thompson’s departure was made public and was refused on the same grounds as the Liberal Democrat petition.

Both petitioners had hoped to gather more than 1,250 signatures to trigger a full council debate.

The decision to confirm Ms Thompson’s departure was made in a policy and resources meeting closed to press and public.

Mr Gale said: “The whole process of removing Penny Thompson has been shrouded in a cloak of secrecy.

“We now have unelected officers denying residents an opportunity to show that they want answers regarding the decision.

“It is a dark day for local democracy.”

In rejecting the petitions, Mark Wall, the council’s head of democratic services, wrote: “The nature of the subject you have raised, including potential legal sensitivities, means it is not appropriate for the petition to be presented at a council meeting.

“It has therefore been decided, accordance with the council’s constitution, not to accept it.”

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: "The decision to not accept the petitions was taken in accordance with the council's constitution and followed correct procedure."