BRENTWOOD Council claims the town’s Tories would rather “party with Boris” than represent the people who elected them.

The new coalition administration hit back after the Conservatives accused it of “running scared of proper scrutiny” after scheduling a meeting in the middle of the Tory party conference later this month.

The Tories had asked for the audit and scrutiny meeting on September 30 to be rescheduled so they could attend, but have been refused.

The council said the date was agreed by all councillors at annual council earlier this year.

Councillor Graeme Clark, who chairs the audit panel, said accounts need to be signed on the day of the meeting.

He said: “It seems the Tories would rather quaff champagne with Boris than represent the people of Brentwood.

“Last year, they moved the meeting forward to avoid the clash, even though the accounts weren’t ready, so they could all go off and party with their colleagues showing, once again, how their party is more important than their role in representing residents of Brentwood."

Tory leader Lousie McKinlay said: “Conferences are about sharing experiences and learning. It was a reasonable request.

“The onus is on this administration. If they’re signing accounts when members of their only opposition can’t be there it begs the question why?”