Swale council's Conservative leader Cllr Alan Horton has apologised after suggesting members of the Cabinet were taking "brown paper packages" from Prince Charles' Duchy of Cornwall for Faversham building plans.

He made the allegations at the council's first virtual meeting on June 17.

At the full council meeting on Monday, July 20, he admitted: "I said some things that were utterly inappropriate and which I profoundly regret.

"I wish to be clear that I unreservedly retract any allegation of wrongdoing by anyone and I truly apologise for making those allegations."

The member for Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch added: "It was wrong, it was unjustified and despite my clumsy attempt to do so at the time, unjustifiable.

"I wish to sincerely apologise to anyone I hurt, or who has been, or feels that they have been personally harmed by my allegations.

"I am all too aware that I have caused distress, anger and pain for many. I didn’t intend or want to do so and I am deeply, deeply sorry that I did."

Council leader Roger Truelove (Lab, Homewood) accepted the apology.

He said: "On behalf of the Cabinet I welcome this statement. It cannot have been easy to do and I guess the last month will have caused Cllr Horton some discomfort.

"Cabinet members were not just linked through references to brown parcels to 'inappropriate behaviour' but to a probable criminal act.

"One member has found it necessary to inform his professional body. Another has had to inform various organisations of which he is treasurer. Some members, who are not Cabinet members, were deeply offended and asked whether this is what they had come into local government for.

"Let's be robust in our meetings but let's not lower ourselves to what is common place in what I call the anti-social media and let's move on."

Swale council covers Sittingbourne, Faversham and the Isle of Sheppey.

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