A COUNCILLOR who said appointing a property developer neighbour as the head of planning was “like giving a drug addict the keys to the cabinet” has been forced to apologise.

Independent Antoinette Cooper and Cllr Margaret O’Conner had already fallen out over the boundary between their properties in Payne’s Lane, Nazeing, when the offending remark was made.

Cllr Cooper had previously raised concerns that Cllr O’Conner’s appointment could create a conflict of interest due to Cllr O’Conner’s involvement in property development.

The row escalated when Cllr Cooper used the drug addict analogy while reading our a written statement at a parish council debate on the job in September last year.

Cllr O’Conner made a formal complaint which was referred to the Epping Forest District Standards Committee.

At a hearing last week, Cllr Cooper said she was trying to safeguard the integrity of the parish council and did not believe her rival had properly declared her business interests.

The investigating officer found the bitter row had divided the parish council.

Cllr Cooper was ordered to apologise for the comment and will receive training on the council’s code of conduct.

Both councillors have declined to comment on the ruling.