A housing association has been slammed after it tried to change a constitution to prevent residents approaching councillors with complaints.

Tower Hamlets Tory group leader and councillor for Blackwall and Cubitt Town Peter Golds wrote to Gateway Housing Association after residents rejected the amendment to a constitution relating to Betty May Gray House in Manchester Road.

The recommendation would have prevented tenants from approaching local councillors in relation to dealings with either the housing association or the council.

Cllr Golds said: “This proposal was extraordinary, and a deliberate attempt to prevent us from holding a public body to account.”

His letter asked Gateway’s chief executive Sheron Carter why the association sought to “prevent elected councillors from representing the legitimate interests of the electors”.

Ms Carter said: “The intention is to ensure that the residents’ voices are heard and they determine how the Association is run.”

“The tenants and residents association can invite councillors to meetings if they so wish.”