A TOP Tory councillor has sparked complaints after he attended a non-political councillor information session and allegedly told would-be candidates that independents had “no chance” of winning.

Cllr Mike Greene, Bournemouth’s cabinet member for corporate policy implementation, is also alleged to have told people it was “too late” to stand as a candidate in the forthcoming local elections.

He has dismissed the row as a “storm in a teacup” and claimed he simply gave honest answers to questions asked of him.

The information afternoon at the Littledown Centre was an informal, non-political event for potential candidates to find out more about being a councillor.

But one attendee said: “Approaching me during the meeting, Mike Greene said it was too late to decide to stand as a councillor and that I should help a party instead canvassing and leafleting.

“With a sneer on his face he confidently stated “Independents stand no chance in the forthcoming elections except maybe Anne (Rey), even her seat is shaking.”

Cllr Anne Rey, leader of the Independent group, has now asked chief executive Tony Williams and council leader John Beesley to speak to Cllr Greene and “put a stop to his behaviour”.

“It is totally unacceptable,” she said.

And Cllr Sue Levell, another Independent councillor, said: “The thought of him attempting to put people off standing who have taken the time to research what the job entails infuriates me.”

Cllr Greene said he went along because it was a public event and said: “If I was asked questions then I answered them.

“What I actually said was depending on who you wanted to stand for, it may be too late to stand. Certainly all the Conservative candidates have been chosen.

“I also made the point that when you have a local election taking place at the same time as a general election, it will be very difficult for independents because they’re starting from a greater disadvantage.

“If someone asks a question then what they want is a realistic answer.”