A HAMPSHIRE councillor has issued a public apology after comparing his political opponents to robbers.

David Harrison is the leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition group on New Forest District Council and was speaking at a meeting of the Tory-run authority.

Cllr Harrison, who represents Totton and Marchwood, has said “sorry” on his website.

“I would like to offer an apology for an inappropriate comment that I made at a meeting of the cabinet.

“The chamber was packed with Conservatives who were lining up to tell the Conservative leader how good the party was to business interests.

“In particular, they were praising themselves for rolling out a government scheme that will give some business rates relief to around 400 qualifying businesses in the New Forest.

“I was a complete party-pooper and completely spoiled the mood in the chamber.”

Cllr Harrison told the meeting: “I don’t think you should be too self-congratulatory.

“The only reason this is necessary is that the Conservative government raised rates to levels that would have killed them off.

“It’s like somebody hitting you over the head, robbing you of £100 and giving back a fiver as you walk away.”

Council leader Barry Rickman brushed it off, saying: “I was disappointed that Cllr Harrison was so negative.

“But apart from that it’s no big deal.”