LLANDYBIE community councillors have defended a colleague over claims his attendance record at meetings was "appalling".

The allegation was made by BNP councillor Kevin Edwards who questioned the right of Plaid Cymru’s Phil Owen to sit on four committees.

It is the latest twist in a simmering row over BNP claims that the make-up of Llandybie community council’s committees was decided on a political basis – claims that have been flatly rejected by council clerk Megan Bevan.

In an email to Ms Bevan, Cllr Edwards said: "I find it amazing that considering the council claims to operate on a non-political basis a councillor with such an appalling attendance record should be voted onto four committees.

"Surely even a mad dog with rabies would recognise that there appears to be something very seriously wrong with how the community council works when someone with such an appallingly low attendance record is politically ushered into positions of authority without his past attendance record having been scrutinised?"

Ironically, Cllr Edwards himself failed to attend last week’s meeting of the council when the issue of Cllr Owen’s attendance was discussed behind closed doors.

Cllr Edwards told the Guardian he had been "travelling back from Manchester" at the time and was unrepentant over his attack on Cllr Owen.

"I think it's a bit of a travesty that a councillor with a 52 per cent attendance record can sit on four committees," he said.

"My BNP colleague Meirion Bowen, who has missed just one meeting in six years, does not sit on a single one."

The Guardian understands that following a lengthy discussion councillors gave Cllr Owen their full backing.

It emerged that whilst Cllr Owen had missed several meetings due to "family reasons" he had continued to sit on various committees.

Cllr Owen was unavailable for comment.