Watford’s deputy mayor is demanding an apology after he was accused of lying by a political opponent during a heated debate at the borough council.

Liberal Democrat councillor Derek Scudder has said only a public apology from Labour leader Jagtar Singh Dhindsa will prevent him making an official complaint.

The spat comes after Councillor Dhinsha said he was lying during a debate over police cuts last Wednesday.

His comments were provoked after the Lib Dem said Councillor Dhindsa had failed to explain how the reduction in national police budgets would affect Watford.

Councillor Dhindsa was then told to apologise by the council’s Lib Dem chairman Councillor Lindsey Scudder for accusing another member of lying in the chamber.

He refused saying he had cited police figures describing how the budget reductions would affect Hertfordshire.

After the meeting Councillor Dhindsa said he was willing to offer an apology if he was wrong, but wanted to listen to the council recording of the debate again.

He said the comments came in an emotional debate on a subject about which he feels very strongly.

“I am going to check the tapes,” said councillor Dhindsa.

“If he withdraws he statement I will apologise. We passionately feel the police cuts are wrong.

“With the Olympics coming up and all these riots we had the police are stretched.”

However Councillor Scudder said he was prepared to make a complaint against Cllr Dhindsa unless he agreed to make a public apology at the next meeting of the full council.

“Even if there is a misunderstanding you don’t call someone a liar,” said Councillor Scudder.

“It is not acceptable. I will be happy when I have had a public apology and not happy until then”.