KEIGHLEY’S mayor has thrown down the gauntlet to a prominent critic of the town council by challenging her to stand for election.

Cllr Graham Mitchell accused Ingrow resident Elizabeth Mitchell of hampering the council’s response to the findings of an external auditors’ report by “bombarding” its clerk with e-mails.

The damning report compiled last year blasted the town council’s financial procedures and recommended urgent action to address a series of failings.

Responding to the challenge, Mrs Mitchell said she had no intention of joining a “toxic” town council.

Speaking in the wake of last Wednesday’s town council meeting, Cllr Mitchell said: “Mrs Mitchell’s repeated verbal beatings given to the town council and its committees do not make our necessary work move any faster.

“Her repeated bombardment of e-mails to the clerk slow down the crucial work of council officers in addressing the recommendations of the [auditors’] report.

“In three months’ time, 39,000 electors will be able to choose a new town council.

“I call upon Mrs Mitchell to submit herself and her arguments to the democratic process by standing as a candidate, so the public can choose through the ballot box whether or not they wish her to represent them.”

Mrs Mitchell said: “It’s deeply offensive of Cllr Mitchell to try to stifle public participation in this way. I would remind him he is mayor of a dysfunctional council, currently under investigation by the Economic Crime Unit.

“The public has every right to be concerned. I certainly would not want to join this toxic council.”