A COUNCILLOR has hit back at a Hampshire MP who called from him to step down - as he represents two councils 76 miles apart.

Tim Bearder has been criticised for sitting on two different councils.

The Lib Dem politician represents West End on Eastleigh Borough Council. But he also serves as a councillor for Oxford County Council.

Eastleigh Tories previously claimed that councillor Bearder was “short-changing residents” by holding down both roles and even called for his resignation.

But now Cllr Bearder has hit back at Tory MP for Eastleigh, Paul Holmes, and urged him to “remain consistent” and call for the resignation of two of his own Conservative colleagues, Douglas Ross and Ben Bradley.

Mr Ross is the Leader of the Conservatives in Scotland, a Westminster MP and has been elected to serve in the Scottish Parliament.

Mr Bradley, the MP for Mansfield has also been elected Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council.

Cllr Bearder said: “If Mr Holmes had an ounce of integrity, he’d join me in calling for them to resign. Otherwise, it clearly shows that his attacks on me were nothing more than political spin shortly before an election, designed to damage the Lib Dems in Eastleigh.

"Part of me wants to say let the public decide and having just secured the biggest Lib Dem majority in Oxfordshire with 61 per cent of the vote, the people I represent are clearly impressed with my hard work and dedication to my roles.

“But these council positions are part-time positions and I’ve carefully structured my life to balance the demands so that I can achieve great results in both places. By contrast, these MPs are trying to hold down two extremely well-paid full-time roles. It is clear they must be short-changing their public and the public purse.”

Mr Holmes responded: “Cllr Bearder fails to understand is that he is trying to represent two areas which are over 70 miles apart and not connected in any way. In the examples given, both individuals represent the same area at different levels of Government.

"Cllr Bearder has said let the public decide and this is where I do agree with him. If he is so confident that residents approve of his actions, why not let voters in West End South have their say? Cllr Bearder could trigger a by-election and let the people decide if they are happy to have a part-time councillor.”

The Echo approached Mr Ross and Mr Bradley for comment but did not get a response.