THE wife of the under-fire leader of Ribble Valley Council has apologised for accusing two other councillors of lying.

Cllr Sue Hind made the allegation at the full meeting of the borough council last week to discuss proposed changes to the complaints procedure in the middle of an investigation into allegations of bullying by her husband Ken.

During the debate Independent Conservatives Cllrs Paul Elms and Terry Hill revealed they had a recording of the couple discussing the success of their plans to amend the process at a committee meeting.

She then accused them of lying.

Now Cllr Mrs Hind has written to both men saying: "At the meeting I believed my comment to be based on accurate information which it was not, and so I apologise unreservedly to you."

Cllr Elms said: "In making her making her apology Councillor Sue Hind accepts that the tape exists."

He went to call for her husband's resignation."

The council leader hit back: "My wife made an honest mistake. Cllr Elms has resigned from the Conservative Party and should fight a by-election in his ward as an Independent."