A REDDITCH Labour councillor was accused of "stepping over the mark" following a critical outburst about the Conservative Party.

David Cartwright's angry comments came in a council meeting discussion about setting up a standards committee.

Replying to comments made about the present Government, Mr Cartwright said: "The Conservative Government introduced Compulsory Competitive Tendering at a cost of absolutely millions.

"The plans Labour want to bring in are designed to enhance local government. In 18 years, your party never did anything to enhance them.

"And it was a Conservative that said 'Local Government is an obstacle that has to be removed'.''

After the several-minute outburst, Conservative Councillor Ken Kenney told Mr Cartwright he was "stepping over the mark".

But he replied he was merely responding to what had been said by the Conservatives.