COUNCILLOR John Morgan angrily denied being a liar during his trial for allegedly stealing £154,000 from a pensioner.

He admits withdrawing the money from Beryl Gittens’ account, but has told a jury at Oxford Crown Court he was following “her wishes”.

Morgan, 75, of Highclere Gardens, Wantage, continued giving evidence yesterday and repeated his claim that the OAP asked him to empty her bank accounts before she died so her extended family would not recieve it.

The Conservative councillor for Vale of White Horse District Council, who denies theft, spent most of the money in motorway service stations and Las Vegas between March 2005 and January 2012.

Michael Roques, prosecuting, suggested to Morgan that he is a “liar” who had repeatedly failed to tell the police where the money had gone.

Morgan shouted back: “I’m not a liar. Please do not call me one.”

Later confronted with what Mr Roques said were false statements he made to the police, Morgan refused to say he had lied. The trial continues.