A 'put-up or shut-up' challenge has been issued by Forest of Dean district councillor Alan Preest to an allegation he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol at the controversial meeting which led to his six months ban from council affairs.

Cllr Preest will be permitted to once again attend council meetings after February 11. It will be the first full council meeting scheduled for February 25.

His embargo was directed by the council's Standards Committee who said he should apologise or face the ban after a complaint which alleged "unacceptable behaviour" at a meeting held in a Lydney pub to discuss the town's regeneration.

Among the allegations, Cllr Preest was said to have launched a loud and aggressive tirade against the district council.

This week he told the Review: "Regardless of the other wording contained in the complaint, it is the allegation I appeared to be under the influence of alcohol which has caused me distress."

Cllr Preest said the meeting was a private one which was, however, attended by a member of the council's Economic Development Group staff.

"I have taken legal advice and I am now asking that the council either substantiate the allegation or retracts it, offering a suitably written public apology for the distress that this has caused me," he said.

Cllr Preest says he has written to the council saying that without an apology he would consider commencing proceedings for defamation.

"I had gone straight from work to the meeting which was held at The Greyhound Inn. The only drink I had was a pint bought for me by a fellow councillor. The allegation is damaging and as it is printed in a public document I do not believe it has left me with any other course of action.

"I do not want to prolong this matter for any longer than necessary and I do not want to cost the council any money. But the allegation is unfounded and I truly believe I am owed an apology as what was written is simply untrue," he said.

In a letter from the council Cllr Preest has been told: "...this was one of the issues raised in the complaint by witnesses to the investigation. Standards Committee proceedings do attract several exceptions from the law of defamation to enable them to complete their work."