Cornwall Council was forced to adjourn its full council meeting this morning after protesters refused to stop shouting into the chamber.

The council was meeting in Truro this morning and there had been a protest beforehand about over development in Cornwall.

Under the full council agenda there is time set aside for public questions but these need to be submitted in advance – they had to be sent to the council by noon last Thursday.

When it was announced that there were no public questions some members of the public in the public gallery started to shout down into the chamber.

Council chairman Hillary Frank tried to explain the procedures to the protesters but was drowned out by shouting. She then said she would have to adjourn the meeting and ask people to leave if they did not stop.

Council leader Julian German then stood up and explained the procedure, he said he was sorry if people did not realise the protocol but said that it had to be followed as part of the council’s constitution.

He then said that full details of how to submit questions would be sent to people who wished to so they could do so in the future.

Cllr Frank then adjourned the meeting and the webcast was turned off while the situation was resolved.

But the protesters started to then slow clap in the public gallery.

Security staff started to ask people to quieten down or leave and Cllr German then came into the public gallery to speak to the protesters and explained that they were welcome to stay but would have to remain quiet so that the meeting could continue.

Eventually the protesters left the public gallery peacefully. Within minutes the meeting was back underway.

Cllr Frank thanked the public for attending and said that it was important that the council listens to their views.