Alison Thomas, the Conservative councillor responsible for the remit at Norfolk County Council, said she was “surprised” at the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) findings after its report revealed various shortfalls.

Published this week, it concluded the authority “requires improvement” and gave the department an overall score of 56pc.

Alison Thomas, councillor for Long Stratton (Image: archant)

Ms Thomas suggested inspectors had over relied on “ anecdotal evidence”.

Her remarks prompted Steve Morphew, leader of the Labour group, to accuse her of “gaslighting” - a form of lying where you manipulate........

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