Deal Town Council is asking the police to investigate who put up a banner outside the town hall on bonfire night.

The painted sheet, pictured, claimed to “symbolically” blow up the town hall over the “shenanegins “ of the mayor and other councillors - mirroring Guido Fawkwes’s gunpowder plot attempt to blow up Parliament in 1605

The protest refers to the row over allegations of sexism and bullying within Deal Town Council. They were revealed in minutes from a grievance panel meeting made by ex-town clerk Lin Dykes dating back to the spring.

Town Clerk Lorna Crow said she could confirm the council asked her on Monday night to report the banner to police because councillors want to identify the culprit on CCTV.

She would not confirm whether it was because of fears for the safety of Town Hall staff.

The meeting was held in private, and the Mercury was told anonymously about the police action on Tuesday.

Leader of the Labour group Cllr Ian Killbery - who is also implicated in Mrs Dyke’s allegations - said: “It is best if I don’t make a comment on matters that were discussed in private.”

The complaints were seen by us in October when the minutes of the grievance panel meeting were leaked to the Mercury after the resignation of town clerk Lin Dykes.

The allegations accused the mayor Cllr Marlene Burnham of bullying, sexism and breach of confidentiality.

Three other councillors, Cllr Ian Killbery, Cllr Kath Blackburn and another - not named in the minutes - were also implicated.

The row has sparked action from Deal businessman Andy Maple who referred the matter to local government secretary Eric Pickles.

Yesterday we were told there will be no investigation into who leaked the documents.

Both Cllr Killbery and Miss Crow said they can not confirm that.