THE Lord Mayor of Oxford has hit back at what he called “outrageous” allegations that he made an inappropriate comment to a schoolgirl.

Alan Armitage said the claim was “made up” and branded investigations by council chiefs a “witch hunt”.

But, in a strongly worded statement, Oxfordshire County Council condemned the Mayor’s “deeply offensive” response to the claim.

An investigation was launched after a parent complained to Cheney School over an exchange at a sports event in the city last month.

The school passed it to Oxfordshire County Council’s child protection team, which found Mr Armitage was not a risk to youngsters.

But it did pass its findings to Oxford City Council to see if its code of conduct had been breached.

Neither council will confirm the nature of the allegation but the Oxford Mail understands it claims the comment had a sexual element.

Last night, Mr Armitage would also not give details. He did say: “I know for certain that at least half of those words I did not say and would not consider saying in those circumstances.

“So, therefore, as far as I am concerned the allegation was made up.”

It has emerged the alleged incident happened at the Oxford Sports Council AGM at Oxford University Rugby Pavilion, Iffley Road, on June 21.

Mr Armitage, a county and city councillor, said allegation arose from comments made as he tried to organise a school team for a photograph.

The father-of-three said: “There is nothing I could possibly have said that could possibly have been misconstrued.

“It reminds me of the witch hunts or the denunciation of witches which were always done anonymously.

“It is outrageous and offensive, I am a family man. I know how to behave with children of all ages.

“The county council decided I was not a risk to children. If the comment had been of a sexual nature they wouldn’t have said that.”

Adding he feels “badly treated” by the county council, he said: “I don’t think I had any chance at all of persuading them that the girl had lied or, at any rate, it wasn’t correct what was being said.”

Mr Armitage – who represents West Central Oxford on the county council and north ward on the city council – said he was concerned the claims could threaten his Mayoral year. He said: “People may have suspicions in their minds when they meet me. If it gets worse I might not be able to carry on.”

County council director for children’s services Jim Leivers said they were legally obliged to look into such complaints.

He said: “Councillor Armitage is aware of the procedures that need to be followed in these circumstances and of the conduct required by individuals placed in positions of trust and responsibility.

“For the Lord Mayor to appear to suggest that these children are lying is deeply offensive and will undoubtedly upset all of the families concerned.”

The girl and five witnesses gave “clear evidence about the offending comments,” he said.

He added: “The girl to whom the comment was made was very upset that a man in a position of trust could be so offensive.”

Mr Armitage has not been suspended or relieved of any of his duties.

The city council is waiting on independent advice before deciding if a formal standards investigation should take place.