A POLITICAL row has erupted over the use of council cash to send an officer to a business conference in the South of France.

Medway Council spent £1,200 for Kathy Wadsworth, the assistant director of economic development, to attend the Property Market Fair in Cannes last month.

But the Liberal Democrats believe at least three council employees went to the French Riveria. A party spokesman claimed they "simply went off on a little jolly - to have a good time".

They are demanding to know how the annual international conference, which attracts about 16,000 experts eager to promote inward investment, will benefit Medway residents. Cllr Steven Sivyer is to ask questions at tomorrow's full council meeting after learning about the trip in The Pulse, the council's internal newsletter. He said: "It said a number of officers had gone to Cannes and as a result there would be lots of benefits to Medway.

"We are accountable for tax payers money so the people of Medway deserve to know what their supposed benefits are. How many officers actually attended and for how long? Everything should be out in the open."

However, Conservative Cllr Jane Chitty, portfolio holder for economic development, maintains that Ms Wadsworth was the only council worker at the conference, from March 11 to 14. She went to promote Medway as the Thames Gateway City of Culture. She said council officers went to the conference in 2000 at an agreed cost of £15,000 from allocated funds and Ms Wadsworth attended this year's event for £1,200 with representatives from Kent County Council and Locate in Kent.

Cllr Chitty said: "The Lib Dems agreed to this expenditure two years ago and they haven't challenged it since. This year it cost £1,200 rather than the £15,000 which was accepted by Cllr Sivyer's colleagues back in 2000."

She added: "How can they support something to the tune of £15,000 then and not now at a fraction of the cost?"