A MOTION that called on West Mercia Police Authority to scrutinise the sale of an historic number plate has been rejected as a smear campaign by Labour.

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion sold the 'AB1' number plate - the first vehicle registration number plate issued to the county in 1903 - to former West Mercia Police Chief Constable Paul West for £160,000,. raising funds for the force.

The director of regplates.com, a licence plate dealer, claimed he had a client willing to pay up to £250,000 for the item.

At the last meeting of Worcestershire County Council, Labour group members put forward the motion claiming it was sold at "50 per cent plus below its market value".

Bromsgrove Beacon councillor and Labour Group Leader Peter McDonald, in proposing the motion to scrutinise the sale, said: "I think we all have read a lot in the press over this, and there certainly is a great number of people who feel strongly.

"The public see this, quite rightly, as the selling off of the crown jewels in a manner that gives the perception of being not quite right.

"It was public property - therefore the person selling the goods should have ensured the best possible price, on open market, in a transparent manner."

But Conservative Councillor Marcus Hart said: "We have had a lengthy discussion on this numberplate - it is amazing a numberplate can generate such a debate.

"We disassociate ourselves with rhetoric and the inference contained within it (the motion).

"This is in reality nothing more than a deliberate attempt by the Labour opposition to smear a former Conservative county councillor, and current police and crime commissioner.

"I spoke to the commissioner directly and he was able to reassure me that the number plate was put up for sale quite properly with an official auctioneer."

He added that the "highest bid" was made directly to the commissioner - to ensure best value for the taxpayer - and something "was only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it".

Councillor Marcus Hart said the motion "lacked seriousness".

When it came to the vote, there was a massive majority against, with only eight Labour member voting in favour.

A spokesman for the commission said: "The full details of the sale are published for anyone to view at any time.

"That has been the case for weeks now and will continue to be the case."