The former mayor of Bungay has called for the resignation of two councillors after they referred to the town clerk as Baldrick from Blackadder in a series of leaked emails.

Judy Cloke, who led the council in 2014 and stepped down as a councillor last year, made the assertions in a letter to current mayor Mick Lincoln.

Last month a series of leaked emails, originally sent in February, showed councillors Susan Collins and Bob Prior criticising clerk Peter Morrow’s handling of a public consultation.

When discussing their disappointment in a leaflet produced by the clerk Mrs Collins said it “could be Baldrics (sic) cunning plan”.

While Mr Prior added: “I think Baldric (sic) ought to be compelled to attend on Saturday to hear the **** the council are going to take because of his ****** leaflet.”

The emails were initially shared between a small number of councillors before being accidentally forwarded to the whole council.

All members of the town council, including Mr Morrow, saw the discussion and the insults.

Mr Morrow has since resigned from his position of 32 years and will leave the council on August 31.

In the letter Mrs Cloke said: “The comments of councillors Collins and Prior relating to the town clerk have brought the office of town councillor into disrepute, as well as maligning a well-respected citizen of the town, who has served it faithfully during his 30 years plus tenure as clerk.

“I believe they should resign forthwith.”

In addition to Mrs Cloke and Mr Morrow’s departure six other councillors also left last year.

Responding to the comments Mr Lincoln said: “I enjoyed working with Judy Cloke; I respect her and she is entitled to her own opinions.

“I don’t feel it’s for me to ask them to resign. I’m not sure it’s the mayor’s prerogative to do that.”

The current mayor expressed his desire for the council to put the scandal behind them and added: “It is my belief that they have the good of the community in mind.

“It makes it all the more important that we get on and do things for the town.”

In particular Mr Lincoln hopes the council will soon be addressing some of the traffic and speeding issues affecting the town centre.

Mrs Collins and Mr Prior declined to comment when contacted.