SOUTHAMPTON'S leading Labour councillors threatened to defect en-masse amid accusations of "intimidation, insults and bullying" within their own party, a secret document leaked to the Daily Echo has revealed.

Fourteen councillors - including leader June Bridle and her Cabinet - put their names to a petition that stated they were "seriously considering" their position as councillors for Labour in Southampton.

The petition - drawn up following a particularly acrimonious meeting of the local Labour Party - showed the fraught relationship between rank-and- file members, who decide policy for the city councillors to carry out, and elected members.

News that the politically embarrassing document has been passed to the Daily Echo - regarded as a public watchdog by many councillors - was greeted with dismay by Councillor Bridle.

Keen to play down its significance, she said: "This is an internal party document and I don't personally think it should have been given to you.

"This was not about policy - personality was the real issue. But I want to put the incident behind us now."

Party President Richard Bates said the petition was the result of councillors being "over-sensitive" and claimed he was happy the situation was now satisfactorily resolved for all concerned.

Walkout threat - see pages two and three of today's Daily Echo.