The leader of Hyndburn Council has apologised to the borough’s MP – ending a potential legal spat between the pair.
Hyndburn’s newest Labour MP Graham Jones threatened to sue council leader Councillor Peter Britcliffe for defamation after he repeatedly shouted ‘two houses’ at him – implying he owned two houses, one secretly – during a meeting in March.
During Wednesday’s full council meeting the Conservative leader read out a letter – sent by Taylors Solicitors of Blackburn – which was addressed to Councillor Britcliffe.
The solicitors’ letter on behalf of Mr Jones said: "At the relevant time Mr Jones did not own two houses, rather he owned one being 69 Hodder Street and was the surviving executor of the estate of the late Mrs Elsie Taylor formerly of 45 Warmden Avenue, who died on March 2008.
"At the relevant time Mrs Taylor’s estate was in probate.
"Our client (Mr Jones) believes that the object of your comments and behaviour was to denigrate our client in the eyes of those present at the meeting by implying that he had concealed from the council and from the public the alleged ownership of a second property."
Taylors had originally sent a letter to Mr Britcliffe on May 19, which he also read out during the meeting at Scaitcliffe House.
In the meeting Mr Britcliffe apologised and said: "I had no intention of denigrating Mr Jones’s character."
