AN Abergavenny councillor has refused to apologise for a personal attack on a member of the public at a Bryn y Cwm area meeting.

Councillor Brian Hood said the complainant could take his grievance to the monitoring officer for Monmouthshire County Council.

The complainant David Haswell asked the chairman of the Bryn y Cwm area committee Councillor Maureen Powell if Councillor Hood would apologise for stating that he (Mr Haswell) was totally against any redevelopment of the Cattle Market site.

He said: "The remarks were made at a public meeting and were misleading and untrue.

"It will be a black day for democracy if you don't allow me to ask Councillor Hood to withdraw his remarks which were entirely untrue. I did not get the chance to challenge him before he left."

Councillor Hood replied: "If David Haswell is dissatisfied he can complain to the monitoring officer."

Mr Haswell said he was not against any redevelopment of the Cattle Market site, he just wanted a quality development for the town.