A bitter row about “secret talks” that might have led to Otley Police Station closing has escalated with more claims and counter-claims.

The town council is demanding a public apology from MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West) over the issue, which erupted last week.

Mr Mulholland had issued a statement that blasted the council for “withholding” details of negotiations – initially between Leeds City Council and the force – which could have seen the police move their Otley base into the Civic Centre.

Those exploratory talks led nowhere and the police are to consolidate their position at Otley Police Station.

The MP slammed the decision not to publicise the discussions as “disgraceful” and also questioned the council’s assertion that they had been kept secret at the police’s request. But Leeds City Council this week confirmed that the police had indeed asked for confidentiality.

The town council accused the MP of trying to undermine its efforts to reopen the civic centre.

Mr Mulholland, who believes the council’s civic centre strategy is flawed, is continuing to insist that the town council has been “deliberately misleading” residents on the issue.