A council leader has been forced to apologise after accusing councillors of boycotting a military event.

Medway Council leader Alan Jarrett apologised to Cllr Vince Maple, leader of Medway Labour Group, after he accused Labour councillors of snubbing the Towns' Armed Forces Day event.

The comments were made during a leader's debate at MidKent College in Gillingham on Wednesday.

In his closing remarks, Cllr Jarrett said: "What I want to see is an administration that fights hard for Medway people, is proud of their heritage, doesn't disrespect our military traditions by boycotting Armed Forces Day, and does not pull stunts like that for cheap political gain.

He was cut off by Cllr Maple's deputy leader Cllr Teresa Murray, who shouted "liar" from the audience.

Following the event, Cllr Maple tweeted photos of his councillors at past Armed Forces Day events, denying Cllr Jarrett's claims.

On Thursday, the authority held its last full council meeting of the election term, which was also the last for Cllr Jarrett, who is stepping down.

During the meeting he told the mayor and fellow councillors he had made an error.

He said: "I think it's only right and proper that I admit I was wrong."

He then read out a KentOnline article from 2017 which said four members of Medway Labour Group announced they wouldn't be accepting invitations to that year's Battle of Medway event marking the 350th anniversary of the Dutch Raid in protest ofthe council's plans to close Sure Start children's centres.

He then added: "That is my rather pathetic reason for getting it wrong last night."

Cllr Maple replied: "I welcome the leader's announcement tonight.

"I was pleased he put the record straight within 24 hours. We have never, we would never, boycott Armed Forces Day.

"As many people know in this chamber, the reason Medway is my home is because my dad served proudly in the Royal Navy for more than 20 years."

The Armed Forces Day event is held annually at the Great Lines Heritage Park in Gillingham.

This year's event is due to take place on Saturday, June 24.

During the meeting, Cllr Jarrett announced the council has bid for government funding to redevelop some brownfield sites, including the former civic centre site in Strood which has long been earmarked for development.

He announced the council has asked for £1.7 million for the site, which lies behind the town's retail park.

The authority's development arm, Medway Development Company, has taken on a design team who will also work up a planning application for 170 homes.

The outcome of the bids - which were also made for the redevelopment of Mountbatten House and the former Debenhams department store, both in Chatham - is due to be announced next summer.

Medway Council elections will be held on Thursday, May 4.

The deadline to register for a voter authority certificate is 5pm on Tuesday, April 25.