THE war of words over the cancellation of the Mathew Street Festival started in earnest yesterday at a meeting of Liverpool City Council’s executive board.

And one councillor admitted that she burst into tears when she heard the devastating news.

The 10-strong board is charged with making the key decisions about the city, but none of them were aware of the behind-the- scenes shambles over safety that led to the shock decision.

Missing from yesterday’s meeting were council leader Warren Bradley, former leader Mike Storey, leisure and community member Colin Eldridge and corporate services executive member Peter Millea.

But the other six, with their criticisms and fury, made up for the missing four with the tone of their angry reactions.

Chairman Dave Antrobus opened the meeting at the town hall with the words: "It’s not the best days of the year."

Cllr Antrobus, acting leader, told how on Wednesday last at 4pm, chief executive Colin Hilton contacted him to discuss a draft report about the festival. They worked until midnight on draft releases.

On Thursday, the decision was announced. Before yesterday’s meeting, both Cllr Antrobus and Mr Hilton were interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s flagship Today programme.

Cllr Marilyn Fielding expressed her dismay because just days earlier she had attended a briefing at which events linked to Liverpool’s 800th birthday were outlined by the Culture Company.

But there was not a hint of problems associated with the Mathew Street Festival.

"As an executive member, I want to know what happened," she said, adding she was absolutely appalled at the bombshell news.

Cllr Flo Clucas, the politician who put forward an emergency rescue plan of action, confirmed later that Warren Bradley and her cabinet colleagues were fully behind her move.

She wanted to know what had been booked and paid for in respect of the event. Mr Hilton told her bands had been booked and stages arranged.

Cllr Clucas said she had met a group of performers who had been around since the 1960s and 1970s in the early days of the Mersey Beat.

She said some of the groups due to perform in the festival had felt the cancellation was a devastating blow to them.

Cllr Clucas said they had told her they had been made to feel rejected and stupid.

"That is something that is echoed across the whole city," she said, adding she heard with disbelief about the cancellation "with not a dickie bird to the councillors".

"I feel very, very upset about this," she said.

Cllr Berni Turner admitted she sat and cried when she heard about the festival’s fate.

"I am beyond appalled," she said.

Cllr Paul Clein, apart from calling for heads to roll, said he wanted the full health and safety report to be sent immediately to all councillors.

"I am staggered. I felt sick when I heard," he said.

Cllr Clein said he wanted to know the cost that the council would face as a result of the cancellation.

"When Sir Paul McCartney agreed to do a gig at Kings Dock a few years ago, it was all boxed off in three weeks," he said.

Cllr Keith Turner said the festival was too important for Liverpool to lose.

Culture company chief executive Jason Harborow sat quietly as the verbal attacks continued.

He told councillors that he was devastated by the decision, and spoke of how Culture Company staff had worked tirelessly to make sure the event would be a success.

"It has become a victim of its own success," he said. The cancellation on safety grounds had been an operational decision, he said.

Colin Hilton said health and safety had been paramount.

He assured the councillors that the proposed 800th birthday parade later this month – also organised by the Culture Company – would go ahead as planned.

Mr Hilton is currently carrying out a full investigation for Warren Bradley into the affair.