THE Labour Council leader has denied discriminating against Conservative parts of Kirklees.

Earlier this week the Tories claimed the ruling party was focussing cuts to libraries and children’s centres on non-Labour areas.

But council leader, Clr Mehboob Khan, yesterday denied discriminating against parts of the district where his party is weak.

“The Tories’ comments are ridiculous and they are deliberately misleading local communities,” he said.

“They are scaremongering at a time when all elected members should be focused on local people.”

Earlier this week Denby Dale Conservative, Clr Jim Dodds, accused Labour of playing “postcode politics” as it seeks to cut spending.

The Labour Cabinet has proposed removing paid staff from libraries in Slaithwaite, Golcar, Honley, Lepton, Kirkheaton, Denby Dale and Shepley.

The seven Kirklees wards affected have eight Lib Dems, seven Conservatives, three Labour councillors, two independents and one Green.

This means 57% of the 14 Lib Dem councillors on Kirklees are due to lose a staffed library; 33% of the 21 Conservatives and 11% of the 27 Labour councillors.

Labour also plans to save £1.4m by reducing services at 17 children’s centres in richer parts of the district.