A LABOUR councillor has accused local Tories of being “scared” of issues around cuts to police budgets being aired in public.

The attack by Councillor Kath McGuirk comes after councillor and London Assembly member Brian Coleman accused Barnet's borough commander Neil Basu of “spreading doom and gloom”.

Cllr Coleman said Mr Basu was “using the language of ten years ago” when talking about the budget challenges during a meeting at the London Assembly with Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson.

However, Cllr McGuirk, Labour's crime spokesman, said it is “right” police consult on any changes and Mr Basu was doing so in the way set out by Sir Paul.

She added: “There must be a proper, open and honest discussion with residents about these very important matters, and it's just no good for Conservative politicians like Brian Coleman to oppose that.

“Clearly the local Tories are afraid about these issues being aired with the public, as they know that cuts to police and our safer neighbourhood teams will be very unpopular with local people, and they just don’t want to listen to what people have to say.”