A FORMAL complaint has been made about the leader of Notts County Council after an allegedly "unprovoked, nasty and highly unnecessary attack" on a political rival.

Leader Councillor Kay Cutts questioned Councillor Jason Zadrozny's attendance record at County Hall on the BBC TV East Midlands Politics Show.

Coun Zadrozny, who leads the Liberal Democrat group, appeared in a recording on the same programme and claims the comments breached the council's code of conduct.

He has made a formal complaint to the authority's legal officer and the matter will be dealt with by the standards committee.

Coun Cutts stands by her comments which she claims were "merely factual".

The show featured a live debate between Coun Cutts and Labour leader Coun Alan Rhodes about Notts County Council's controversial budget proposals.

Coun Zadrozny, who featured earlier in the programme in pre-recorded footage, claims during the live debate, Coun Cutts offended him by querying his attendance record.

Coun Zadrozny said: "The fact that she said I am hardly ever at County Hall I find very offensive.

"She said 'I don't know what Jason stands for'. We put out a very clear manifesto which was easily digestible."

In his complaint, Coun Zadrozny claims Coun Cutts breached the code in four ways:

Failing to treat others with respect

Bullying and intimidation

Bringing the authority into disrepute

Using your position improperly.

He is calling for a full investigation.

Minutes show that Coun Zadrozny has attended every full council meeting since the June elections.

He is, however, noted absent for all four administration committees and all three cabinet meetings, at which he does not have a vote.

Coun Zadrozny admitted missing the administration committee meetings, but claimed two were organised at "late notice".

The standards committee will now decide whether or not action should be taken against Coun Cutts.

Coun Cutts said: "I made a factual statement about the leader of the Liberal Democrats' attendance and I stand by that statement.

"He has left early from three of the last four council meetings and has attended no cabinet or administration committee meetings since the elections in June.

"Last week alone he failed to attend or send apologies for two important meetings."