DISGRACED councillor Hugh Pritchard will face his colleagues today at a council showdown that could determine his political future.

The veteran councillor, who admitted defrauding the council out of housing and council tax benefit, has so far resisted pressure to stand down as representative of Fareham South despite being thrown out of the borough's Liberal Democrat party.

Fresh concerns have also been voiced by the Portchester Labour party branch who insist the disgraced councillor should stand down as governor of a local school.

Chairman Richard Ryan said: "After admitting benefit fraud Cllr Pritchard should immediately resign from Castle Primary School's governing body.

"What message is he sending out to the school's pupils, parents and staff if he clings on to office? He should go now."

At tonight's specially convened meeting Cllr Pritchard, who remains a Lib Dem councillor, will be asked to step down from his current positions on the planning and development committee along with several overview panels and external bodies.

His former group leader Roger Price will recommend alternative members of his party as possible replacements for Cllr Pritchard's current responsibilities.

The 67-year-old broke his vow of silence last week after pleading guilty to falsely claiming £1,250 in council benefit through "carelessness", a sum he has now repaid in full

He insisted he had no intention of standing down and that he had "paid his debt to society".

Mr Ryan said: "Cllr Pritchard is either ignoring or missing the point.

"He has been put in a position of trust as a school governor and councillor which he has betrayed. For that reason and for the sake of the school he should resign."

Cllr Pritchard's actions are also due to be reported to the Standards Board for England that could disqualify him from local government for up to five years.

The letter calling for him to be disqualified has been signed by all Fareham councillors and was expected to be sent today.