BITTER political fighting marred council attempts to secure funding for a Battle of Britain museum and the rebuilding of Harrow College.

Motions were laid before Thursday's full Harrow Council meeting, one calling for action to fund the World War Two museum at Bentley Priory, the other condemning the withdrawal of funds of the new unified college campus in Harrow town centre.

The Harrow College motion put forward by the Labour group expressed “concern and dismay” at the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) not funding the new campus, describing the decision as “a body blow to the people of Harrow”.

But the Tories objected to the LSC being blamed for the situation, instead choosing to point the finger at the Government.

Councillor Marilyn Ashton, in charge of planning, told the meeting: “I think it is critical members of the council acknowledge the real causes of the problem.

“This Government has let us down and the colleges in Harrow. To say otherwise is devoid of the truth.”

She then launched into a bitter attack on her political opponents, accusing them of opposing the college plans and doing “everything they could to make sure planning permission was not granted.”

She added, indicating towards the Labour benches: “They don't like to hear the truth over there, that's the trouble with them.”

The Labour group, which is in minority, refused to vote in favour of the amended motion, and vehemently denies opposing Harrow College's plans.

But the Tories' motion was carried without their support, and a meeting will now be set up between college bosses, politicians from both sides and senior ministers to discuss the funding situation.

On Bentley Priory, unanimous support for the museum at the former military base was not enough to swing Labour and Tories behind the same motion.

The Tories suggested writing to Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling asking for Government funding for the museum plans, which have been put on ice after a housing development on the site fell through.

But Labour balked at the motion, objecting to the criticisms thrown at the Government for selling Bentley Priory without making plans to preserve the heritage of the site.

Councillor Bill Stephenson, leader of the Labour group, who put forward an amended motion, said: “It's disappointing we couldn't again come to cross party agreement on this issue.”

He suggested an amended motion which was less critical of the Labour government, but this was voted down by the majority Tories.

Councillor John Cowan (Cons, Canons), said during the debate: “If we don't do something in the near future, Bentley Priory won't be there to be saved in any form.

“I say we should all fight for it, all write letters. The more agitation there is, the more chance we have of actually saving it.”

However, as with the college motion, Labour refused to vote on the Tories' motion, which was passed, and a letter from the council will now be dispatched to Mr Darling asking for around £3m to fund the Battle of Britain museum.