But Mr Wilson said Mr Gower's motivation was getting revenge.
He claimed Mr Gower was unhappy with his email to applicant Altitude bar owner Laurie Weake because he had accused the councillors of making "faith-based decisions".
In the email, he said there was a need for new forward-thinking councillors at the next election.
Mr Wilson said he had not breached the process but apologised anyway.
It was not an offence which justified his removal from the committee, but he would "happily live with the council's decision".
"But I do leave you with this question, is this really about transparency and due process or is it not more a chapter from Silence of the Lambs - 'revenge is best served cold'?"
Mr Wilson's supporters - councillor Dave Macpherson, Angela O'Leary and Martin Gallagher - said the action was too extreme and did not follow due process.
Mr Macpherson accused Mr Gower of pussy-footing around by hiding behind a restructure when the main aim was to remove Mr Wilson from the committee.
Councillor Pippa Mahood supported the move and in her argument - during which she she was stopped three times for giving incorrect information - said Mr Wilson's actions had "offended the reputation of the committee".
Councillor Peter Bos declared a conflict of interest because his son was married to the daughter of the liquor licensing applicant, and did not participate in the discussion.