A senior Conservative in Three Rivers has hit out at the leader of Three Rivers District Council for publicising an internal investigation.

Last week, councillor Ty Harris accused the council of “electioneering” and trying “to darken his name” after it emerged the Oxhey Hall and Hayling representative would be investigated over comments he made at full council.

Last week, councillor Ann Shaw, leader of the council, told the Watford Observer: "Councillor Ty Harris made statements about other members’ financial interests that caused considerable offence.

"He refused to withdraw his comments or apologise and a complaint about his behaviour was submitted to the council’s Monitoring Officer".

But councillor Ralph Sangster, leader of the Conservative group in Three Rivers, has defended his colleague and said they are “appalled” the investigation has been publicised.

He said: “The Conservative group at Three Rivers are appalled the leader of the council would issue a public statement in these terms.

“They consider that this issue should have remained an internal matter whilst it was being investigated.

“Using a member’s complaint for party political advantage is unacceptable particularly when the press release is both inflammatory and potentially prejudicial.

The authority has confirmed any potential hearing will be held privately, but will be revealing the decision of any potential inquiry.

Councillor Sangster added: “He [Councillor Ty Harris] also has doubts as to the impartiality of any internal investigation after Councillor Shaw’s comments and whether it will lead to a fair hearing.”

But councillor Shaw has defended the publicising of the investigation, saying the statement was “not inflammatory or prejudicial” and was a “mere statement of fact”.

She added: “I would have thought it was [a party political issue], any member of the council is a representative of a political party.

“When the three group leaders met, they all agreed on how to proceed. There was one member from each political party.

“We tried to resolve it easily, but that has proved impossible”.