LABOUR and Liberal Democrat councillors walked out of a meeting at Wallasey town hall last night, saying it had been called under "false pretences".

The meeting of the economic regeneration scrutiny committee of Wirral Council had been called to examine controversial proposals for a hotel in West Kirby.

The Sail Project, which also includes a new sailing school, has faced criticism from local Conservative councillors.

After Wirral's cabinet agreed to press ahead with the scheme, the Tory group used the call in procedure to subject the decision for further scrutiny. However, it was not allocated to the Conservative-chaired economic and regeneration committee as expected, and the Tories withdrew their call-in and called a special meeting of the economic and regeneration committee.

Labour member Cllr Ann McLachlan attempted to put forward a motion saying the meeting was "politicising" the scrutiny process and should be ended.

But chair Cllr John Hale refused to accept the motion and insisted the meeting proceed.

Cllr McLachlan then read out a statement in which she said the Tories’ decision to withdraw their call-in meant the decision by cabinet was final.

She said: “The subsequent holding of this meeting, under what we believe to be false pretences, is a clear politicisation of the scrutiny system which runs counter to the council’s constitution.”

Cllr Hale said he had called the meeting to give the Sail Project full public scrutiny. The meeting – with only Conservative members and council officers remaining – then heard from witnesses who told the committee of their concerns about the Sail proposals.

Issues about parking dominated, with concerns about the impact on lake users of the development.