The leader of Swale Borough Council has sparked outrage after claiming “all sorts of strange people” are standing for election in Faversham this year.

Cllr Andrew Bowles’ comments –made during a cabinet meeting – have been branded “gratuitously rude”.

The backlash was sparked after he said: “I have every confidence in the current Faversham Town Council but all sorts of strange people are talking about coming forward [to stand] at the next election.”

Independent borough councillor Mike Henderson believes Cllr Bowles was referring to a number of independent candidates planning to stand at this year’s election.

He said: “He did not use the word independent, but I have absolutely no doubt in my mind whatsoever that he was directing it at independents.

“Shocking does not even begin to describe it. It was gratuitously rude and for the leader of the community to say that is completely wrong.

“Shocking does not even begin to describe it. It was gratuitously rude and for the leader of the community to say that is completely wrong."

“It was not a discussion in the pub, it was not chitter-chatter at a coffee morning, it was made at an important public meeting of the cabinet.

“It quite frankly should not have been said.”

About 20 independent candidates have announced they will be standing for both the town and borough councils in May.

The town council, bar labour’s Trevor Payne, is entirely Conservative.

Henry Dagg is among the independent candidates hoping to break the Tory stronghold.

He said: “I would only observe that referring to people who wish to represent the interests of their own community as ‘strange’ demonstrates how far the leadership of Swale Borough Council has declined from the ideals of democracy.”

Another, Paul Cumberland, added: “Strange people? I can only think that Andrew is talking about different people to the norm, for anything out of the ordinary is strange.

“That said, what is strange to one is sensible to another, so I hope he will embrace this strange event for Faversham that the ‘strange people’, such as outsiders from no political party, are standing as independents and it looks like they may win.”

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Bowles said the comment was made in jest and apologised to anyone who took offence.

He said: “I did make the comment last week and I am sorry Cllr Henderson assumed I was referring to him, or the candidates that he had recruited to stand, because I wasn’t.

“I have known Cllr Henderson for a number of years and I would certainly not describe him as ‘strange’.

“The comment was said very much in jest and I apologise if some thought I was being rude.”