SOME independent candidates for council seats are "closet Tories", according to Shadow Welsh Secretary and Labour MP Peter Hain.

Independent and Labour councillors run Carmarthenshire Council and Llanelli-based Plaid AM Simon Thomas seized on the comments Mr Hain made at the Welsh Labour conference.

The Mid and West Wales AM said: "This faux pas will be an embarrassment to many in Carmarthenshire and the wider party."

But Councillor Pat Jones, the county's deputy Labour leader, said: "We could happily work with anyone who has the interests of the people at the centre of their manifesto."

Referring to Independent candidates in North Wales, Mr Hain said: "Independents with no manifesto, no plan and no clue — many of them closet Tories."

Councillor Pam Palmer, leader of Carmarthenshire's independent group, called Mr Hain's comments "pathetic".

She said: "We will be judged on our achievements at the election and we trust the voters will appreciate the good work that's been done during this joint administration."