CALLS are growing for a “warts and all” public debate on controversial plans for a multi-million pound stadium for Workington ahead of next month’s election.

David King, who has launched a ‘centre left’ New Independent Group, has thrown down the gauntlet to the council leader Alan Smith amid claims that the ambitious plans needed further scrutiny.

Responding to the challenge, Coun Smith said he had “no problem” with taking part in a debate but only once assurances were given that it was a “legitimate” forum with a “neutral” chairman.

“I am not going to be corralled into a three-ring circus,” he added.

Opposition councillors still have serious reservations about the scale and cost of the project and the financial “risk” involved.

They have also claimed that the plans are being rushed through ahead of the election and the Rugby League World Cup, with the plans set to go before the scrutiny panel for the second time later this week.

Mr King, a former member of the Labour Party, has proposed the “warts and all” debate.

He said: “The full ramifications of this issue, along with many others, will then be in the public domain.

“We of the New Independents hereby challenge you (council leader Alan Smith), to argue your assertions within a neutral public venue, chaired by a neutral individual together with representatives of the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Independents, Greens and any other bodies of opinion that are represented in the forthcoming borough council elections.”

Mark Jenkinson, deputy leader of the Conservatives, has also written to coun Alan Smith telling him he will take Mr King up on the offer, adding: “and I hope you do too.”

Last month, the council agreed to go down the investor-developer route to fund the stadium rather than borrowing £25m as originally proposed.

The council has insisted that this would avoid them having to borrow money to pay for the stadium.

Under the plans, the council would sell a long leasehold and the investor would then work with the developer to build the stadium.

It would also provide long overdue facilities for two of the county’s major sports clubs – Workington Town and Workington Reds.

Coun Smith has insisted that the stadium would bring jobs and investment to the area, nurturing the next generation of sporting stars and could also be used as possible entertainment venue.

He likened the £95m price tag to a “mortgage” paid over 50 years, adding: “If the sums don’t stack up, it doesn’t get built – it has to be self-financing, operating 24/7 as more than a sports venue.”