What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A Tory councillor in David Cameron's backyard has been suspended after calling a colleague a “cripple”, it emerged today.

Peter Handley's party membership was suspended by the West Oxfordshire Conservative Association following the comments, which were made minutes after a council meeting.

A row flared between Mr Handley and fellow Conservative councillor Alex Postan, who has osteoporosis.

Mr Handley swore at Mr Postan and called him a “cripple”, according to the Oxford Mail.

He also said he would “come across this table and sort [Mr Postan] out”, it was said.

Mr Handley said he has apologised to West Oxfordshire Conservative Association, which was former Prime Minister Mr Cameron's local party during his 15 years as an MP.

(Image: Oxford Mail / SWNS.com)

“As a councillor sometimes you do say things in the heat of the moment. Councillors don’t agree with their own side all the time,” Mr Handley told the Witney Gazette.

“The word wasn’t meant in the sense of today.

“It was meant in its historic sense. If you look up ‘cripple’ in the dictionary it means someone who is lame and disabled.

“I’m not against anybody who is disabled.”

Mr Handley denied threatening to assault Mr Postan, claiming that when he said he would “sort [Mr Postan] out” he was referring to the issues being discussed.

Mr Handley is now poised to stand against the council’s Conservative leader James Mills.

(Image: Rex Features)

Mr Mills said: “A complaint was made to me as group leader about language Peter had used towards another councillor.

“The incident was witnessed by several people.

“Peter was given the opportunity to respond to the allegations at a meeting he had with me.

“While he admitted to using the alleged language, he is yet to make an apology to the other person involved.

“On my recommendation, the West Oxfordshire Conservative Group voted to suspend his membership for six months.”

The Conservative Party has been contacted for comment.