Squabbling councillors in Tower Hamlets town hall were caught on camera for the first time this week.

The acrimonious full council meeting was filmed yesterday evening, with cross-party support for the step.

And councillors admitted that the public may not like what they see when the films are put online.

Labour group leader Cllr Sirajul Islam admitted: “At times exchanges in this chamber can be less than the public expect of us.”

Rowdy members of the Independent cabinet also backed the plan, with Cllr Oliur Rahman saying: “People will be able to sit in the comfort of their sofa and watch how Labour and Tory councillors are failing.”

Speaker Cllr Lesley Pavitt said a professional company was filming Wednesday’s meeting, with footage to be published on the council’s website.

“If this is successful I will be working with officers and group leaders on agreeing a protocol for filming,” she added.

Members of the public remained unable to record the meeting.

At the time of writing the council were yet to release the video.