He was the parish chairman who became an internet villain after berating a council officer in a recorded Zoom meeting that went viral.

       However, Brian Tolver, the Handforth councillor who told Jackie Weaver she had “no authority” to intervene in the town’s affairs, has resigned his seat and triggered a by-election.

       Parishioners of Handforth Town Council went to the polls on Thursday to elect a replacement for Mr Tolver, after he vacated his seat in the wake of a row that has attracted more than three million views on YouTube.

       In the video, intended only to be seen by the citizens of the Cheshire town, Mr Tolver told Mrs Weaver, who had been brought in to mediate proceedings: “You have no authority here, Jackie Weaver! No authority at all!”

       In response, Mrs Weaver ejected Mr Tolver from the call, sparking a row that eventually led to his resignation as chairman and her internet fame.

       The by-election attracted the candidacy of two prospective councillors, Ribia Nisa and Barry Cooke.

       Ms Nisa, who stood for the Labour Party, pledged to use her skills as a lawyer to scrutinise planning applications.

       Mr Cooke is listed on the election notice as “Englishman”.

       On Thursday, Mrs Weaver, who still works as the chief officer for the Cheshire Association of Local Councils, said she was pleased that the election had been contested.

       “It’s a really positive thing,” she told The Telegraph. “It means the community is interested in what the council is doing.

       “Like Nanny McPhee, my only involvement with councils generally speaking is when they’re in difficulty. So if they’re not having problems, then I’m not so involved in what they’re doing.”

       Since the incident on December 10 2020, Mrs Weaver has written a self-help book, You Do Have The Authority Here!, and launched a podcast, Jackie Weaver Has The Authority.

       “I’ve tried to use the blessing or a curse of the media attention to really push the whole agenda about town and parish councils,” she said.

       “These are what they are, and this is what they can do. And this is why you should be involved with them.”