FURIOUS councillors are threatening the Conservatives with court action over claims made in an election leaflet.

Canvey Island Independent Party members visited the island’s police station yesterday to register their outrage at the Tory literature.

On Tuesday, the Echo reported the Conservatives were handing out material in Canvey North ward that wrongly claimed Canvey Town Council will have to shell out £66,000 in a forthcoming employment tribunal.

The Conservatives have apologised for the mistake, but the Independents, who run the town council, claim Tory activists are still handing out the leaflets in the island’s East ward.

Tensions are high, as the two parties will go head-to-head for town and borough council seats in May’s local government elections.

Dave Blackwell, leader of the Canvey Island Independent Party said: “They should pull this leaflet now, otherwise a legal action will follow.

“We’ve had residents in East ward handing them to us and asking us what it’s all about.

“They could be handing them out everywhere on the island.

“I just can’t believe they think they can get away with it.”

The literature refers to a claim of constructive dismissal made against the town council by former clerk Julie Abel.

However, the leaflet wrongly claims the authority will have to pay £66,000 when the case has yet to be heard.

The figure is in fact the maximum amount of damages the clerk can receive if she is successful.

Vera Partridge, chairman of the Castle Point Conservative Association, admitted the material was incorrect.

She said: “It was a mistake and we apologise for it.

“It seems some of our activists had not been told not to use the leaflets.

“I will be making every effort to stop the leaflets going out.”

A police spokesman said: “Any complaint of this nature will be reviewed and we will then carry out an appropriate investigation.”