Redbridge Council leader accused the leader of the opposition of "cowardice" after he led his party in a walkout from a full council meeting.

Labour councillor Jas Athwal, described his Conservative opponent, Cllr Paul Canal, as a "bully" and accused him of spreading misinformation among the public.

According to the opposition, the authority had to reject £2.7m of a £4m grant from the former Mayor of London because it did not build new flats in Loxford Lane within two years.

Cllr Canal put in a motion asking the ruling group to apologise to the 100 elderly people who would have benefitted from this assisted living complex.

But, Labour Leader Cllr Athwal pointed out discrepancies in the motion and denied the money was "lost".

He said: “Councillor Canal had his facts wrong, but instead of apologising to the public and the chamber he scurried for cover to save his leadership in a show of cowardly action.

“It was a cheap trick to say all this and run.

“What today has shown is that when you stand up to bullies they just run.

“They (the Conservatives) know that they have been caught red handed openly lying to the public and distressing them.

“I think the record has to be set straight that the £2.7m has not been lost.”

Cllr Athwal said he will be seeking legal advice and will consider reporting the actions of Cllr Canal to the standards authority.

The walkout happened as the Labour group attempted to introduce a motion that welcomed the withdrawal of Cllr Canal’s motion and "correct" the "inaccurate information" about £2.7m being lost.

The Labour group said the figure was incorrect and the funding of £2.459m made available by the Greater London Authority is still available to be spent on the Hyleford site.

The Guardian have contacted Cllr Canal for a comment.