Oxford's Lord Mayor Carole Roberts has threatened to sue fellow councillors for defamation.

Mrs Roberts was elected Lord Mayor by a majority of city councillors on May 20. No-one voted against her - but 13 Liberal Democrat and Green councillors abstained.

Among the remarks made about Mrs Roberts, as reported in the Oxford Mail, were that she was bad-tempered and abusive. It was also suggested that her manner was not appropriate for the ceremonial position of Lord Mayor.

The remarks were made by Lib Dem Jim Campbell and Dr Mike Woodin, of the Greens.

The abstentions, at an occasion where voting is normally unanimous, were seen as an unprecedented personal snub to Mrs Roberts, a former chairman of the housing committee and a city councillor for 16 years.

She told yesterday's city council meeting, which was given a briefing paper about defamation: "For those people who publicly abused me a month ago I have this to say.

"I have been studying the paper about defamation and I am considering taking action."

Mrs Roberts said: "I had decided this was going to be my last year on the council - 16 years was quite enough - but when people get my back up I dig my heels in. If the electorate will have me I will stand again in May."

She also appealed for someone to take a decent picture of her.

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