A COUNCILLOR has disputed claims of a party rift following the news he is standing down as leader.

Councillor John Muckle stood down as shadow leader of Dartford Council at a Labour party meeting last week.

The retirement sparked Conservative leader Councillor Jeremy Kite to suggest the decision was taken because of political fractions within the Labour group.

Cllr Kite said: "I had no idea he was going to retire but I was aware for a long time John could not deliver what he wanted because of back-biting in his party."

But Cllr Muckle, who led the council while Labour was in power between 1998 to 2003, is adamant he informed Cllr Kite personally of the reason for his wish to retire in October last year.

He said: "I have been doing this since 1975. I am 73 now and it is about time I had a well- deserved rest.

"To suggest I am retiring because of back-biting is ridiculous.

"I have always had the support of my group and I think this is just a way of trying to undermine our party."

Former shadow deputy leader Geoff Prout was chosen as the new Labour leader, a decision endorsed by Cllr Muckle, who will remain a councillor.