Fury today erupted over claims that the former ruling Labour group was mainly responsible for a damning audit report on Castle Point council.

Tory council leader Pam Challis laid the blame for the "poor" rating - the lowest possible - squarely at the door of the Socialists.

But today former Labour council leader Dave Wells hit back, saying the Conservatives must shoulder the blame for the inspectors' report.

Mr Wells said: "No wonder people are cynical about politicians. They (the Tories) have been in power for 15 months.

"They took part in all our working groups, nobody was excluded from anything, therefore everybody should shoulder responsibility for this."

Published Friday July 23, 2004

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