New standards could be considered after a fiery Brisbane council meeting. 

Reports say LNP councillor James Mackay has been observed turning in his chair in several councils meeting this year when Nicole Johnston, the independent candidate from the neighbouring Tennyson Ward, has been speaking.

He has also allegedly turned his back when Morningside Ward councillor Kara Cook (Labor) and Gabba Ward's Jonathan Sriranganathan (Greens) spoke.

Cr Johnston quit the LNP 12 years ago to become an independent, and now has an acrimonious relationship with the LNP-majority council. 

In a statement to the chambers on November 1, Cr Johnston called out Cr Mackay's actions.

“I am putting it on the record because his behaviour is disturbing me,” she said.

“To most people [Cr Mackay turning his back] might be a small or immature action but to me, this is part of an ongoing pattern of behaviour by Cr Mackay towards me that is disturbing, weird and inappropriate.”

Brisbane City Council chair and LNP member David McLachlan says council meeting rules permit a councillor to turn their back.

However, Cr Johnston was reprimanded in the meeting for not returning to her original topic of discussion after repeated requests to do so by Cr McLachlan.

Cr Mackay said he felt “unsafe” and that Cr Johnston “bullied” him.

Cr Sriranganathan said he had also noticed Cr Mackay's behaviour in council meetings and, while it is technically permitted, he called it “rude and unprofessional” conduct that went “far beyond the rough and tumble of politics”.

Reports say some councillors are considering urging a change of standards so that more respectful behaviour is encouraged.