THE LEADER of Wokingham Borough Council has expressed his “whole hearted” apologies after he accused a fellow politician of being a “liar”.

Cllr Keith Baker recently accused Cllr Gary Cowan, who dumped Baker’s conservative-led party to become independent last year, of feeding lies to residents.

Cllr Cowan slammed the comments and said he was furious at the council leader's accusations. He said he “expected better” of someone in Cllr Baker’s position.

Accepting the comments were made in the heat of the moment, Cllr Baker said: “It got heated. I got into a situation where I used some words I should not have said. I whole-heartedly apologise.”

Cllr Cowan stepped down from the Conservative ranks on the borough council late last year and chose to stand as an independent member instead.

He said: “One has to remember residents may well think there is no smoke without fire so such comments will seriously damage my reputation.

“Is this how our residents expect the Councillor Keith Baker the leader of Wokingham Borough Council and Woodley Town Council should act?

“Does such an outburst and personal attack by the Leader of two councils on a fellow Councillors reputation bring those institutions into disrepute?”