Kingston Council leader Kevin Davis will have his role at a PR company scrutinised in public during an extraordinary council meeting next month.

The Conservative leader will argue his position within Cratus Communications, the company he founded, does not create a potential conflict of interest as opposition Liberal Democrats claim.

April 24: Silenced? Lib Dems' mute council meeting protest after fear of legal action by Tory leader's PR firm

May 5: Tory council leader 'outs' Lib Dems with property developer links in row over his Cratus role

In a new development, Councillor Ian George, who until Tuesday was lead member for housing, will also have his work as a senior account manager at PR company Thorncliffe, which specialises in planning, scrutinised.

Liberal Democrat leader Liz Green said: "I think lots of people - particularly in Kingston town centre are particularly interested.

"They want to hear from Kevin. They want to hear more about the work he does and why he believes there is no conflict of interest.

"This is about trying get back the trust in the council and showing that decisions and developments are happening how they should be."

Coun Davis holds shares in Cratus but does not take a salary. Past clients of Cratus have included developers CNM Estates and Amro, the company behind the student flats at 1 Penryhn Road.

It also worked with Hydro Properties and Cascina during the companies bid to build a £30m floating homes scheme on the Seething Wells filter beds in Surbiton.

After his election last year, Cratus announced it would not take any more PR clients in Kingston to avoid conflicts of interest.

Coun Davis said: "I have nothing to answer for so it is a waste of time and it is political manoeuvring - a waste of taxpayer’s money during difficult times.

"I think we should be calling for the leader of the opposition to resign over it. How dare she waste peoples’ money. I’m sick to death of it."

Meanwhile Coun George's employer Thorncliffe’s states on its website many of its employees "are or have previously served as local councillors and are in tune with how to help developers meet the needs and desires of the communities they serve".

Coun George said: "As lead member, I have no role whatsoever in the planning process in Kingston.

"I have provided details of my employment on the Register of Interests form which is available on the council website."

The new motion resolves that "no sitting Councillor should be able to take a lead role (defined as one with a special responsibility allowance) whilst working or owning a company that's primary function is public affairs for the development industry".

The meeting will be held at Guildhall on Thursday, June 4 and follows a bitter dispute between Coun Davis and the Lib Dems.

Last month a Lib Dem motion calling for Coun Davis to resign as leader or quit as Cratus' chief operating officer was blocked by council officers on the grounds it could be defamatory to Cratus and the council leader.

In protest, Lib Dem councillors wore t-shirts saying “Silenced – I’ve upset the people in power” and refused to speak at April’s full council meeting.

That led to Coun Davis publishing a list of current and former Lib Dem supporters who now worked with property developers in Kingston.