LIBERAL Democrats in Pendle have called on two opposition councillors to resign in the wake of a standards committee controversy.

Coun David Whipp, the Lib Dem cabinet member for community safety and asset management, has been cleared of blame by a national appeals panel for describing opponents as “liars” during a Barnoldswick Town Council meeting.

He had been ordered to apologise by Pendle Council's own standards committee for his outburst in September 2008 but had appealed to the national panel, which overturned the original ruling.

And members of the national appeals body were also critical of the way the standards committee had reached its conclusions, noting allegations of bias in its comp-osition.

Lib Dems have complained that the standards committee procedures are taking too long to implement, and are being abused by politicians to discredit rivals.

The row first erupted over a controversial election leaflet produced by Coun Whipp's rivals in 2008, concerning expenses, which had been the subject of a police investigation and prompted his “liars” remark.

Lib Dems have now urged borough councillor Glenn Whittaker, an Independent, and county councillor Keith Bailey, who represents the Conservatives, to consider their positions. Party chiefs have also called upon the borough's chief executive, Steven Barnes, to overhaul the current standards committee procedures, in light of the national appeal panel's findings.

The move comes just weeks before another Lib Dem, Coun Tony Greaves, is due to face the same standards committee over remarks he allegedly made concerning Coun Mohammed Iqbal, Labour group leader, in front of other senior members and town hall officers.

Former council leader Alan Davies, asking a question at a Pendle full council meeting, said: “This is an extremely serious issue on which I hope everyone on the council would agree.”

He asked council leader Coun John David whether he thought Coun Whittaker and Coun Bailey, who ousted Coun Whipp at this year's Lancashire County Council elect-ions, should resign.

Coun David said: "There is clearly a case for them to examine their consciences very, very closely, altho-ugh I understand in today's political culture that resignation is not often done."

But he added that the pair should “seriously consider their positions”.

Coun Whittaker did not comment at the full council debate.

And Coun Bailey was unavailable for comment despite being contacted by the Lancashire Telegraph.