A Fife MP has suggested the kingdom’s Conservatives worry about their own “reported splits” and leave her to get on with the job.
The row emerged as the Tories criticised Lesley Laird’s council attendance record.
Mrs Laird has continued to represent her council ward since being elected as MP in the last general election but the Tories claimed the Labour politician is clinging on to four jobs.
Mrs Laird said group leader Dave Dempsey “wasn’t man enough” to raise his concerns in an open forum and should be more concerned about “reported splits” within the Fife Tory group.
The row erupted following the latest south and west Fife area committee, where both Mr Dempsey and Mrs Laird represent Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay.
The Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath Labour politician said: “Dave sat next to me in a meeting for nearly two hours and wasn’t man enough to raise this question with me or in an open forum where I would have had the right to reply.
“Given the reported splits within the Fife Tory group, Dave should be more concerned with his own position and party, rather than worrying about me.
“Some people might think this a cynical ploy on his part to grab a headline, but thankfully I’m focused on the real issues in the ward and am actively engaged with constituents and representing residents on the issues that matter to them.”
She added: “As Dave would be wise to learn, being an effective councillor is not just about having a presence, it’s about action and delivering results and my track record speaks for itself.”
She cited the fact she ensured the delivery of new housing for Fraser Avenue and investment in local sports facilities.
She added she was actively campaigning for a replacement Inverkeithing High and delivery of the promised radiation clean-up at Dalgety Bay.
“I’m regularly contacted about issues at the heart of the community by constituents and that’s my focus – it should also be his.”
Rules stipulate a councillor attend a meeting at least once in six months.
Mr Dempsey said Mrs Laird “showed up” at a council meeting on October 5 and not again until April 4.
“In between, she’s scarcely been seen at all and has missed dozens and dozens of community council, parent council and other meetings, where councillors do the real work.”
Conservative chairman Scott Campbell added it had “been clear” that Mrs Laird couldn’t cope with the combined roles of MP, councillor, shadow cabinet member and deputy party leader.
