CORNWALL COUNCIL has agreed chairman Pat Harvey should be its representative at all major events after a row broke out over who should be the authority's figurehead.

At last Tuesday's full council meeting a cross-party group tabled a motion calling on the authority to reaffirm it was the chairman who should represent it at events – including the Olympic Torch Relay in May.

There had been concerns the chairman of the council – currently Pat Harvey – was being "sidelined" and that leader Alec Robertson was instead acting as the figurehead.

Mrs Harvey left the chair for the debate but earlier read a statement saying: "I have not initiated this motion and will not take part in the debate.

"The role of the chairman of the council is very important and is one that I am privileged to undertake. I am grateful for the support of members in my role as chairman and will continue to do my utmost to promote Cornwall at any event where it is my duty and responsibility to represent the council."

In a message sent to councillors Mr Robertson had questioned whether the motion was worthy of debate.

He wrote: "It is hard to escape the conclusion that the aim of the motion is to create some sort of political mischief.

"In case I have misunderstood your intentions or the purpose of the motion, please let me know and I can plan my contribution accordingly.

"The receipt and carrying of the Olympic Torch is a fantastic opportunity to showcase everything that is positive about Cornwall and it would be unfortunate if any perceived and, for my part, unnecessary internal council wrangling was to detract from a wonderful cultural celebration."

Then, in an e-mail to all members, he said the selection of who should attend the Olympic Torch events was a decision for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Locog) so he could not support the motion.

Independent councillor Andrew Wallis, who proposed the motion, said: "This is about clarifying the role, the important role, of council chairman.

"It has been said that this is political mischief but it is not. We are saying that, if anyone represents this council, it should be the chairman."

The motion was agreed, along with an amendment that the council write to Locog requesting that any invitations to Olympic Torch events are sent to the chairman.