A Tottenham councillor who has the whip withdrawn by the Labour party last week has said he is “very saddened” by the decision – but intends to continue his council work.

Cllr Gideon Bull, who has represented White Hart Lane on Haringey Council since December 2000, was suspended for three months at a party meeting last Thursday on the recommendation of the party’s chief whip and his fellow councillor Liz McShane.

Cllr Bull had been disciplined following outspoken criticism of the council’s decision to cut funding for adult care centres in response to budget cuts.

Withdrawal of the whip means that Cllr Bull cannot participate in the decision-making processes of Haringey Labour, or attend meetings.

Cllr Bull told the Tottenham Independent: “This has been quite a difficult time for me and my constituents. I take my job as a ward councillor very seriously and always express myself on behalf of those people.

“I would have hoped that the circumstances that necessitated me to take the actions I did would have persuaded my colleagues that removing the whip would have been far too harsh, but it was not to be.

“I am very saddened, and intend to appeal the verdict. This has come at a time when we should be pulling together.

“If I had asked other questions or worded them differently, would I have been uncomradely?

“It was a very close vote, there was an amendment suggested where I would just be censured, but that was defeated.

“I would have liked to have thought my experience might have counted for something, but apparently not. It is a real shame, as I see my fellow councillors and party members as an extended family.”

Cllr Bull was suspended after Labour said they had “concerns about his comradely behaviour”.

He said he disagrees with this reasoning, calling it “subjective”.

He also said he would not be put off serving his White Hart Lane constituents, and intended to continue as a Labour member.

Cllr McShane said that she would continue to work closely with Cllr Bull “to ensure that he has a smooth reintegration back into the Group.”

She said: “As the Chief Whip, I put forward the recommendation to withdraw the whip for three months from Cllr Bull following his interventions at the public Cabinet meeting on November 10 2015 which I believe demonstrated uncomradely behaviour and a disregard for the principles of collective responsibility which all Group members are required to abide by.

“Cllr Bull is an active and engaged member of both the Labour Group and the local Party and it is extremely disappointing that his actions on this occasion have led to this outcome.

“I intend to work closely with Cllr Bull throughout his suspension, to hopefully avoid situations like this occurring again in future.”

Haringey Labour said that withdrawal of the whip is not a suspension from the Labour Party or the Council, and Cllr Bull is still expected to abide by Labour Group decisions for the period of his suspension.

No financial support has been withdrawn from Cllr Bull.