AN OUTSPOKEN Labour councillor has been accused of a "personal vendetta" against fledgling Lib Dem councillor Chris Leslie, who could face an investigation by a local government watchdog.

Councillor Ruth Atkin had vowed to see her fellow central ward councillor brought before the council's standards committee for comments he made at a Central Watford Green Zone meeting last month and an email he sent to residents.

But she withdrew a motion calling for a full investigation and a heavily toned-down version asking councillors simply to note his remarks was overturned at a full council meeting on Wednesday, October 16.

She has, however, written to the Standards Board of England to complain about his conduct.

In the light of her accusations, councillor Atkin was herself reported to board, along with councillor Rashid Choudrey, who seconded her motion, for what political opponents described as "malice".

Lib Dem councillor Andy Wylie said he had written to the board on Monday to report the pair.

The row stemmed from comments alleged to have been made by councillor Leslie following a planning committee decision to allow Pancho's Villa to extend a public entertainment licence for one hour.

Labour councillors said his comments implied the planning and licensing committee, which is supposed to act in a quasi-judicial capacity, had a already formed opinions about the way applications would be dealt with.

Councillor Mick Cash (Labour) said: "We have to be seen as being beyond reproach but at this moment in time we are all tainted."

Others said councillor Leslie's comments may have been misinterpreted or a simply a mistake made by a new councillor.

Deputy mayor Iain Sharpe (Lib Dem) said councillor Atkin's attack was nothing more than a "media stunt" based on a "personal vendetta" against the young councillor, who was only elected five months ago.

He quoted from a waspish email sent by councillor Atkin in August complaining about councillor Leslie's appointment as chair of the area committee.

Councillor Atkin said: "I bear councillor Leslie no malice. It is usual for a junior councillor to serve an apprenticeship before they are put into a position of any responsibility."

The accuracy of the comments attributed to him have been questioned by councillor Leslie but he did not speak once during the vicious debate after being advised to stay silent on the matter until he learned if the standards board was to look at his case.

October 18, 2002 12:30