A recently resigned councillor cited a “broken promise” to maintain the amount of social housing in South Oxhey as the reason behind his sudden departure.

Three Rivers district councillor Ty Harris, who represented the Oxhey Hall and Hayling ward, stepped down from his post on Friday morning.

The former Conservative councillor said the Liberal Democrat-run council had reneged on a promise to maintain 96 social homes in South Oxhey, with 48 expected to become affordable housing.

However he also trained his sights on Labour, saying they had not done enough to oppose the Lib Dems in recent times.

“Over the years, local Labour councillors could have worked with the Conservatives to save the future of the 48 social homes and vote against the Liberal Democrats plans but I do not believe Labour acted in the public interest, and that their party politics prevailed,” he said.

“I have felt strongly representing my constituents to the best of my ability and where I have fulfilled my duties in a true and honest manner, I refuse to allow the council to turn its back on the people and act in my name as a member.”

However his claims were refuted by Labour Cllr Steve Cox, who said the timing of Mr Harris’ resignation did not match his reasons.

“We now have the bizarre situation of a Conservative councillor resigning because of the actions of the Lib Dems and blaming it on Labour. It’s bonkers,” he said.

“He needs to have a look at himself and stop blaming others. We are going to hold the Lib Dems to account. I’m determined to get us back to the 96 (social houses).”

Leader of Three Rivers District Council, Liberal Democrat Sara Bedford, added: “It's taken a week for former councillor Harris to come up with an excuse for his sudden resignation and it seems he is blaming everyone but himself.

“Ty knows very well that the change in funding for the South Oxhey homes was a direct result of the 2015 General Election, when the majority Conservative government decided to turn its back on the very poorest in society and ended the grant funding of social rented homes.

“If he really cared about those in desperate need of housing, he would not have sat in a group of Conservative councillors bitterly opposing the provision of housing for families in need in Rickmansworth.”