The mayor of Pembroke Dock has hit out against speculation from fellow councillors that he is being prosecuted for benefit fraud, like Pembroke mayor Keith McNiffe.

Councillor Paul Weatherall has been dogged by malicious rumours' suggesting he too is being prosecuted for benefit fraud and has been forced to take public action in order to defend his reputation.

At a Pembroke Dock Town Council meeting on Thursday, he took the unusual step of reading a formal statement to his fellow councillors.

His statement addressed the issue in full and Cllr Weatherall made it clear he was considering legal action against a county councillor and town councillor - who remained unnamed - for defamation of character.

The statement read: "It has come to my attention that a county councillor and town councillor are spreading malicious rumours about me to the general public.

"They are saying that I am being prosecuted for benefit fraud and being removed as a councillor and, in one case, that I will be in court in June.

"These allegations are untrue and no such proceedings are taking place. I have been interviewed and that is all."

Cllr Weatherall continued: "I wish to make the general public know that I have reported the matter to the monitoring officer, Mr Lawrence Harding and that I am seeking legal advice as how to proceed with a charge of defamation of character."

There was no response among the councillors present at the council chamber and the mayor moved straight on to the next item on the agenda.

Cllr Weatherall later told the Western Telegraph: "I have received apologies from the councillors and do not wish to cause them any problems with the forthcoming elections."