A LEADING councillor has described criticism about the state of the city as bearing "very little relation to the truth".

Tom Druitt, who represents the Green Party in Regency ward, slammed Andy Winter over a column that criticised graffiti in Brighton and Hove.

In his column for The Argus, Mr Winter said that the Green Party “could be in for a drubbing” at the next local elections in May.

However, in a tweet the council’s joint finance lead accused Mr Winter of “crass, knee-jerk populist journalism with very little relation to the truth” for his opinion piece.

Cllr Druitt said: “He had a bad experience with a couple of people and is now on the ‘more obsessed with identity and gesture politics’ bandwagon.

“I’m all for debate, but not this rubbish. A huge number of councillors are working very hard and don’t need this crap.”

In his column, Mr Winter also accused Green councillors of “emulating politicians like Trump”.

He said they were “withdrawing from debate and ignoring constructive criticism”.

Writing in The Argus, he said: “In Eastbourne, Hastings, Shoreham and Canterbury, there was little evidence of tagging or graffiti, the streets were clean and tidy, and no weeds were growing through the paving slabs.

“It brought back memories of somewhere I used to know. Sadly, today the city looks like a tip, an embarrassing disgrace.”

“The Green themselves appear more obsessed with identity and gesture politics than sorting out the mess they have created.”

Cllr Druitt’s remarks sparked a row on social media, with retired Withdean councillor Ken Norman accusing the local Green Party of causing mess in Brighton and Hove.

He said: “None of us can understand why you are speedily destroying the whole city.”

Former Labour council leader Daniel Yates said that all councillors should be able to accept criticism and feedback from residents.

He said: “Although I might disagree with some of Andy’s conclusions as to blame, I think his critique is valuable and all councillors across the spectrum have to withstand challenge.”

Dan Wilson echoed this view said to Cllr Druitt: “Your response echoes exactly the dismissive attitude Andy is critical of from Green councillors in the article.”

In response to Cllr Druitt's comments, Mr Winter said: "I am disappointed that he has attacked the messenger rather than respond to the message.

"The issue is that the state of the city is a disgrace and the Greens would be better advised to respond by saying how they will fix the mess, especially the weeds and the graffiti."