HYNDBURN Council leader Peter Britcliffe was accused of putting fellow councillors at risk by making 'rash statements' at a council meeting.

Coun Tim O'Kane hit out at the council leader after Coun Britcliffe announced the results of applications for doormen licences at a judicial panel meeting held last month.

Under normal council procedure, applicants are informed of the panel's decision in writing after the meeting.

The panel used to consider licences for taxi drivers, but now decides who can become registered doormen under a new scheme designed to make Accrington's nightlife safer.

Only registered doormen can work in the town centre.

But Coun O'Kane claimed to a meeting of Hyndburn's full council that Coun Britcliffe had announced: "We will tell them now. I'm not scared."

Coun O'Kane told the full council: "He may not be scared but it isn't his place to put others at risk. These aren't taxi drivers. These are men who are asking for licences to have jobs which involve a certain degree of violence.

"There is normally a good reason why we refuse licences and we do it to make sure the wrong people don't become bouncers.

"By announcing the results there and then I think Coun Britcliffe is effectively putting us in danger from intimidating people who we might refuse licences to.

"He needs to learn what he can and can't do."

A council spokesman said there was nothing to stop the results of applications being made public at the meeting, but added letters were normally sent out after the meeting, which involves consultation from the police.

But council leader Peter Britcliffe was unrepentant.

He said: "What nonsense. These comments offend the people we have given licences to, the people who have undergone training and courses to become holders of the licence.

"These aren't menacing thugs and I am loath to reply to this."