A LEADING councillor has been slammed for suggesting Island residents should boycott paying sky-high council tax payments.

The leader of the Isle of Wight Conservative group, Councillor Andy Sutton, has condemned the comments made by leading Island councillor, Harry Rees as "totally irresponsible".

Cllr Rees made the remarks when it was revealed that the Island Council's grant from central government would only increase by 3.9 per cent - one of the lowest in the south.

It could mean that council tax may soar by at least 11.5 per cent. Currently, council tax payers in an average Band D property on the Island pay £970.92. It would rise by £111.67 to £1082.59, if the feared council tax rise took place.

Councillor Sutton said: "What Councillor Rees is advocating is wholly irresponsible. It can serve only to damage public services, hurting the people who rely on them in the process. The council cannot deliver public services if council tax is withheld, because they'd be left without the money to pay council staff.''

But Cllr Rees retorted that his remarks had been made "tongue in cheek".