The most senior official at Hertsmere Borough Council has dismissed a politician’s call for his resignation.

Chief executive Donald Graham rebutted comments from Bushey North councillor, Steve O’Brien, that he should stand down over the council’s refusal to discuss turning the Fisher’s Field nature reserve into allotments.

Dr Graham told Councillor O’Brien, a member of the ruling Conservative group, that his "lack of support from colleagues [over the issue] should not be turned into an attack on officers."

He also said the possibility had already been "exhaustively discussed" and did not have support from other politicians.

Councillor O’Brien said Dr Graham should "look for another job" after councillors on the Environment Scrutiny Committee voted to overturn a decision to discuss the matter at a meeting on Thursday.

Today the chief executive responded saying: "The nature and future of Fisher’s Field has been exhaustively discussed by Hertsmere’s politicians, including Hertsmere’s Scrutiny Committee.

"Councillor O’Brien has previously pursued this matter via a ‘Call for Action’ after which the council agreed to continue with the nature reserve use.

"Officers have spent considerable time over several years responding to matters raised by Councillor O’Brien.

"The plain facts are that the council has considered in depth his representations over the years and decided to leave Fisher’s Field as a nature reserve.

"Councillor O’Brien’s disappointment at the absence of support from his colleagues should not be turned into an attack on officers. "At Hertsmere we pride ourselves in putting a great deal of effort into working positively and constructively with elected members.

"This will continue to be the case as both elected members and officers seek to do their best on behalf of local residents."