A community council has expressed "shock and anger" at the sacking of a senior Labour councillor who investigated a multi-million-pound deal.
Tommy Morgan was ousted as North Lanarkshire's main watchdog after questioning changes to a contract with Mears that has split his party locally.
Mr Morgan had questioned why the housing repairs deal, worth £30m a year, was being rewritten in the company's favour.
The leader of the council, Jim McCabe, has since admitted being friends with the managing director of Mears' Scottish arm but insisted the contract was unworkable as it stood.
In a highly unusual move, the community council in Plains, Airdrie, which Mr Morgan represents, has attacked the council in a letter to North Lanarkshire Council.
The entire group wrote: "We assure you that this letter is in no way political, but a response in request by residents to express their strong feelings, including shock and anger and their concern with regard to the situation their highly respected local councillor, Tommy Morgan, now finds himself in, fundamentally for conscientiously carrying out the remit of a job he was elected and paid to do.
"A community council's top priority is after all to be the 'voice' of the community in representing community concerns.
"All members of Plains Community Council, as individual residents themselves, fully support and endorse the feelings and concerns of the community."
Mr Morgan was sacked by the Labour group - not the council after he was accused by Mr McCabe of raising his voice and using bad language on a matter unconnected with the Mears contract.
The community council added: "Many, many residents are dismayed and concerned at the decision to sack this excellent councillor without, at least, the usual alternative of temporary suspension from duty pending further discussion on the matter."
The councillor is understood to be considering his legal position.
Both parties on North Lanarkshire have now approved changes to the contract - despite opposition SNP demands that Mr McCabe declare an interest. Rents will be raised next year with tenants - and the Treasury through housing benefits - bearing the brunt of the added costs to the council of the new-look deal.
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