A council has been accused of “unacceptable” censorship after bleeping out a councillor calling a rival a “t***pot” in a recording of a heated meeting.

Swale council’s deputy leader Mike Baldock used the phrase to describe Conservative councillor Mike Whiting during a scrutiny committee.

The meeting was being broadcast virtually. But the offending phrase has since been edited from the online recording.

A Freedom of Information request by resident Matt Barnes to put the "abusive language" in the public domain has been refused so Cllr Whiting, who represents Teynham and Lynsted, has taken up the fight.

In a letter to Swale's chief executive Larissa Read sent on Sunday he complained: "This sort of censorship of the public record is, in my view, unacceptable and not becoming of a reputable public authority like Swale Borough Council.

"In my view, your decision is not protecting the integrity of the council but the reputation of the person that made the comments."

He has asked her to "reconsider" the council's position and for him to be given a copy of the un-edited version.

Ms Read previously told him she was unable to release the original recording. It had already been decided not to release the recording to Mr Barnes.

Cllr Cameron Beart (Con, Queenborough and Halfway) confirmed: "I did hear it but it is exactly the behaviour I expect from the deputy leader so I wasn't surprised."

He added: "I don't understand how the council has decided that it is a serious enough matter to warrant redaction of the recording but not a serious enough matter to take before the standards committee. I assume it's to save them from embarrassment."

Cllr Baldock (Swale Independents, Borden and Grove Park) later told the meeting: "I apologise for calling Cllr Whiting a t***pot."

Cllr Whiting, 62, admitted he hadn't heard the insult the first time and had to ask monitoring officers what Cllr Baldock had said.

He said: "It seems crazy that if you are going to say something in a public meeting and use bad language about people the record should show that. They say they are trying to save the reputation of the council but the reputation damage lies with the person who said it. I find it odd that even as a member I don't have access to the copy of record.

"Everyone knows at the start that things are being recorded. And I certainly take offence at being called a t***pot. I thought it was particularly egregious. It is unfortunate any member should use derogatory language about any other member in an open public meeting."

Cllr Baldock was asked to comment.

A council spokesman admitted: “We did edit an inappropriate term used at the meeting so people couldn't stumble across it and take offence.”

According to the Oxford dictionary, a t***pot is an "offensive word for an unpleasant or stupid person or a drunkard".