A COMMUNITY council meeting descended into chaos after the chairman and vice-chairman walked out in a row over a flute band.

Prestonpans Community Council’s monthly meeting saw the issue of funding the town’s gala raised for a fourth time in six months, as community councillor DJ Johnston-Smith continued his opposition to a flute band being paid to take part in the gala.

On Tuesday evening, Mr Johnston-Smith, whose claims that the town’s Star of East Flute Band had links to the Orange Order had sparked angry clashes at recent community council meetings, produced photographs of members of the band “holding aloft neo-Nazi literature” at an event in Musselburgh.

He called for minutes from last month’s community council meeting to be amended after they omitted comments from chairman Jimmy Yule.

Mr Johnston-Smith was angry that he had been admonished by Mr Yule for “bringing Prestonpans Gala into disrepute” by criticising a £1,000 donation by the community council to the gala, which pays the flute band £300 to take part.

He wanted an amendment to reflect what had been said to him, and then wanted the chance to refute the allegation.

Mr Yule told the meeting he had “put an end” to the discussion at the end of the last meeting, but Mr Johnston-Smith said: “You said I was bringing disrepute by having a go at the gala; we cannot give money to a band which is pictured holding aloft this literature.” Community council vice-chairman Kevin Davanna said if the debate was going to continue he would leave, before walking out, saying: “Take this as my resignation.” Shortly afterwards, Mr Yule also walked out as the arguments over the band continued.

Mr Johnston-Smith had distributed images of members of the band holding up a newsletter distributed by Britain First, a far right wing political party which campaigns against mass immigration; its founding members are said to have had links to the BNP and the loyalist movement.

The pictures were taken on Saturday at the Musselburgh True Defenders anniversary parade, which Star of the East took part in.

Supporters of Britain First were in the town promoting their newspaper and the photographs appeared on their social media pages. Community councillor Tam Gibbons, who is a member of the flute band, said the members involved in the pictures had been severely reprimanded.

He said: “The people in the photos wanted their pictures taken, they’re not interested in neo-Nazis. They were silly lassies wanting their pictures taken.

“They were severely reprimanded, and they were assured the photos would not be published.” Ward councillor Peter MacKenzie was forced to take over chairing the meeting after Mr Yule walked out.

But before a vote on the proposed amendment to the minutes, a third community councillor, Calum Miller, demanded they move onto new business and walked out when that request was denied.

At the time it was thought his departure would leave the community council without enough voting members in attendance to carry on, but a check found there were still enough members at the table, and a vote on amending the minutes was taken.

The amendment said: “There was a discussion between John Reynolds, DJ Johnston-Smith and Tam Gibbons. A heated discussion occurred in which Mr Johnston-Smith objected to money being given to the Star of the East Flute band to play in the gala parade. The chairman admonished Mr Johnston-Smith.” Following the departures, Mr MacKenzie questioned whether the community council would have to find a new chairman and vice-chairman, but treasurer Margaret Kay asked for time to speak to Mr Yule and Mr Davanna and her request was agreed.

Mr Miller later said: “The community council is not the forum for judging the merits of the Orange Order or other recognised groups.

“Love them or loathe them, the Orange Order is part of the community and if we examine their motives too closely then we’ll get stuck in a politically correct swamp.

“I hope we can now park this issue and move on, otherwise we will lose valuable active members of the council.”