A formal complaint about offensive remarks made by controversial Councillor Brian Coleman has been lodged by the leader of the opposition group.

The Conservative politician described members of the public gallery as “sad, mad and a couple of hags” during a full council meeting on Tuesday.

Leader of the Barnet Labour Group, Councillor Alison Moore, has made an official complaint to council leader Richard Cornelius.

Cllr Coleman’s remarks sparked outrage among the public gallery, members of which confronted him in the corridor during a break in the meeting.

Despite being asked to apologise by Liberal Democrat Councillor Jack Cohen at the meeting, the Totteridge representative refused.

Cllr Moore said she the former GLA member’s behavious was “unacceptable”.

In a statement, she said: As a woman I found the reference he made to two female members of the public utterly offensive and I was shocked to see male members of the Conservative group laughing as he said it. 

"Cllr Cornelius was seen smiling and applauding at the end of Brian Coleman's speech - did he agree with his behaviour? I call on the leader of the council and of the Conservative group to distance himself from these remarks, and this behaviour, and to direct Cllr Coleman to publically apologise."