A LIBERAL Democrat has accused rival parties of voting against the LGBTIQ+ community of West Oxfordshire.

Jake Acock criticised Labour and Conservative councillors after they voted against providing £5,000 of funding to an LGBTIQ+ support group.

Tory and Labour councillors have said they support the group in principle - but pointed out that it lacked the required structure and detail.

Mr Acock, who started the group with fellow Lib Dem councillor Andy Graham, said: "It's quite clear that the only progressive party out there is the Liberal Democrat Party. It's starting to come through why so many people voted for us in the local elections.

"Councillors are very good at paying lip service but they don't want to help us really."

Labour's Laetisia Carter, who sits on committee that voted on the proposal on Thursday, branded Mr Acock's criticisms 'inflammatory'.

She said: "It was lacking a formal structure. The council had already agreed to support this group and that this community and its rights are important.

"We won't be held hostage by him as councillor demanding money for issues without justifying how taxpayers' money will be spent."

Michele Mead, a Conservative councillor, suggested there may be opportunities in the future but noted that currently the group lacked structure. She pointed out it does not have trustees."

She and Mrs Carter pointed out that all councillors were generally very supportive of the group.