The borough’s former deputy mayor has hit back at councillors who accused her of “celebrating” violent crime.

In the latest of a series of posts on Twitter this week, Councillor Judy Best, who represents Streatham Wells ward, said she was “appalled” by the suggestion she was justifying her sons’ assault on her neighbour.

Several councillors have criticised Coun Best’s comments about the attack in Madeira Road last August after she said she would “never apologise” for what had happened. But in a message to Labour councillor Edward Davie on Wednesday, April 11, she said: “I would never celebrate violent crime as a victim I find that appalling. As a woman seeing that man smiling @ me & free that stinks.”

No charges were ever brought against Coun Best following the incident, but her sons, Rion Peters, 21, and Scott Richards, 31, are currently serving prison sentences for the assault on 41-year-old Neil Potter.

Coun Best, a Liberal Democrat who is the vice-chair of the children and young people’s service scrutiny sub-committee, also claimed this week she had been the victim of “racism” following an investigation by Brixton police.

Commenting on Coun Best’s recent remarks, Coun Davie questioned whether she should retain her position as a councillor.

He said: “Defending violent criminal assaults by people with prior convictions and making unsubstantiated claims of racism shows Judy Best is unfit to be mayor or a Lambeth councillor.

“Among other things councillors are corporate parents and she clearly lacks the skills and responsibility for this important job.

“The Liberal Democrat leader should take responsibility for the behaviour of his spokesperson for young people who is setting a terrible example for people of any age.”

The row has intensified the conflict between the three parties in Lambeth over the election of the borough’s next mayor, a post Coun Best feels is rightfully hers, having been deputy mayor this year until she stepped down during the police investigation into the assault.

But official papers for next Wednesday’s council meeting still list Councillor Clive Bennett, who currently holds the position of deputy mayor, as the person chosen for the position.