A brutal cage-fighting event at the Civic Offices was 'unsafe' and 'glorified violence', according to an outraged councillor. Tory leader Councillor Andrew Cumpsty said he was shocked by what he saw at the Tory group meeting that saw him elected Conservative leader on Reading Council on the casting vote of the chair.

Cage-fighting is one of the world’s fastest growing sports in which two Tories in a caged “hexagon” use a variety of underhand and dirty tactics to knock their opponent out and win the bout.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Cumpsty said: “What I am concerned about is the graphic and violent way it was conducted... but I couldn't take my eyes away from it. When's the next leadership contest?"

The next Tory Cage Fight will be at the Rivermead Leisure Centre just after the count when Rik Willis will once again attempt to take control of the group.