A councillor was spotted playing games on his phone for large chunks of a meeting last night, but he said he does it to keep his mind sharp following a stroke.
Coun Alan Mitchell (Conservative) was seen enjoying an online card game of solitaire and other online games during Trafford Council's budget-setting full council meeting last night (Wednesday February 19).
He was filmed from above by a member of the public sitting in the overhead gallery while discussions and debate concerning how the council's £175million budget should be allocated continued around him.
A short video shows the 68-year-old Hale Central councillor focussed on his phone.
Coun Mitchell also sits as the opposition lead member for the council's accounts and audit committee, he has represented Hale Central for more than 15 years since he was first elected in 2004.
In his defence, Coun Mitchell explained that, following a stroke three years ago, he needs to keep his hands and mind busy to aid his recovery.
He said: "It's no insult to my colleagues, of any party. Normally I have papers in front of me to keep my mind active but when I've nothing else, I will default to that.
"I'm afraid you'd be surprised, a lot of people do it. It's nice for people sat at the back [of the council chamber] as no-one ever sees them.
"I'm afraid it's old habits."
He added that it was actually "quite nice" to have more people attending council meetings, "taking an interest" and watching proceedings from the upper public gallery.
