A COUNCILLOR has denied being drunk at a by-election count with colleagues saying she is the victim of “smears” and “sour grapes”.

Wivenhoe Independent Andrea Luxford-Vaughan was accused of being loud, waving cans of gin and tonic and making lewd remarks.

Labour town councillor Rosalind Scott posted on social media Mrs Luxford-Vaughan was inebriated and drinking spirits throughout the count.

Wivenhoe resident Pauline Rendell posted underneath: “It was completely disgraceful. Not only was she inebriated but she continually loomed over the people watching the count, waving cans of gin and tonic and making lewd remarks in a loud voice. She should have been removed, in my opinion.”

She added: “This was a public spectacle and as such brought an important civic process into disrepute.”

Mrs Scott told the Gazette afterwards that the councillor had been drinking “two cans of gin and tonic” but rather than conducting a vendetta, she had made a “private remark on my Facebook page.”

But Mrs Luxford-Vaughan said although she had been drinking, she was not drunk. “To say I was completely inebriated is slander.

“I don’t want to get into a bun fight. There’s more important things to concentrate on," she added.

Wivenhoe Lib Dem borough councillor Mark Cory was at the count. He backed her saying: “She wasn’t drunk.”

However, he added she was known for "good fun, jolly and someone who likes a party".

“She was just a bit loud. She can handle her drink. It was a really enjoyable evening, “ he added.

“Labour is complaining because they lost.”

Three town councillors were elected - Sanchia Nash (Ind) won with 790 votes followed by Philip Booth (Ind) with 713 votes, and Christopher Singleton (Lab) with 499. Labour candidates Paul Hunt were not elected.

Mr Cory added: “She was known as the mayor with a cigarette and a beer in her hand. That’s her character.

“We are all so surprised how the Independents won ahead of Labour . It was sour grapes.”

Fellow Wivenhoe Independent Shaun Boughton said there was “history” between the two and he said Mrs Luxford-Vaughan was the victim of a “smear campaign”.

He said of Ms Scott; “It’s a shame she has damaged the Labour group in Wivenhoe.”

Town mayor Asa Aldis said concerns over housing had impacted on the Labour vote adding: "They want to build 7,000 houses next to Wivenhoe and the people of Wivenhoe don’t want that.

“I feel it’s a proxy vote for the county council elections in May.”

But Labour county councillor Julie Young hit back: “I absolutely dispute there was a big swing against Labour. The Labour vote is pretty much the same.

“The anti-Labour vote was concentrated in the Independents there was no-one else to vote for.”

A Colchester Borough Council spokesperson said: “Anyone concerned by Cllr Vaughan’s alleged behaviour at the Wivenhoe Town Council election count should contact Wivenhoe Town Council.

“It is the view of the Returning Officer that all those present at the count  acted appropriately and did not interfere with proceedings.”