A former councillor has told your Worcester News that Dr Lord was a “brilliant politician” but had become a “lonely guy” after his wife died nearly four years ago and he began drinking at work.

Dr Lord resigned as leader of Worcestershire County Council and as a councillor after complaints of inappropriate behaviour of a sexual nature were made against him by five separate female members of staff at County Hall. It has not been suggested any of the complaints made against Dr Lord by County Hall staff refer to alcohol.

Dr Lord’s wife Margaret died at the age of 68 in January 2007 following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer and John Buckley, who was leader of the opposition Labour party at the time, said: “I saw him deteriorate after his wife died. He was devoted to her.”

Mr Buckley, who worked with Dr Lord for eight years, claims that his Conservative counterpart offered him glasses of wine at 10am and, at one point, he told his political opponent to “cut out the drinking”.

“I think George Lord drank because he was a lonely guy,” said Mr Buckley. “He came to work to socialise. Then there was a lot of drinking at County Hall.”

A spokesman said acting leader Councillor Adrian Hardman would not comment on any rumours surrounding Dr Lord, who was unavailable for comment again yesterday, but said the council’s policy on alcohol states employees must not consume any during work time unless managers have approved it for special occasions.

The council’s code of conduct does not make specific reference to alcohol consumption but it does contain lines such as: “You must not conduct yourself in a manner which could reasonably be regarded as bringing your office or the county council into disrepute.”

Mr Buckley said he still did not approve of colleagues who took part in the drinking culture and has called for all alcohol to be banned from County Hall.

The council spokesman said whether that policy will be revised or not would be a matter for the new leader once the appointment is made next week.

Mr Buckley said Dr Lord was a good leader who listened to councillors and took their opinions on board.

“He was a brilliant politician,” said Mr Buckley. “I did like the guy and I’m sad but I’m not condoning it if anything’s gone on.”

Dr Lord was not available for comment and the county council declined to say anything about Mr Buckley’s claims.