A councillor has been forced to issue a public clarification about an election leaflet which allegedly implied that a multi-millionaire businessman was planning to buy-out Epsom Hospital for his own personal gain.

Adrian White, who owns Denbies wine estate, claims that Liberal Democrat councillor and failed prospective MP Jonathan Lees made the insinuation during last year’s General Election, when he stood against Chris Grayling.

The Lib Dems say the relevant quote in the leaflet was taken from an article printed by the BBC in 2007, in which Mr White set out a £20m plan to buy the hospital through a charitable trust in his name.

Mr Lees, Lib Dem Coun for Stamford, published a clarification on his website last week (see below for the full statement) including lavish praise for Mr White’s involvement in the hospital over many years.

The statement said: “I understand that Mr White is concerned that my leaflet may have been understood to imply his interest in the hospital was motivated by the prospect of personal financial gain. I wish to clarify that this was never my intention.

“The comments within the leaflet were intended to draw attention to Mr Grayling's involvement in the process.

“I wish to make it clear that Mr White has only ever proposed that the hospital should be run through his Charitable Trust. I am happy to clarify the situation.”

Jonathan Lees said: “I understood Mr White wanted clarification in regards to my leaflets about sponsoring of our MP's Parliamentary assistant and the hospital which was raised in my election leaflet.

“I have been more than happy to issue my clarification of wording for several months but Mr White inexplicably delayed accepting this until near the local elections.”

Mr White was chairman of Epsom Healtcare Trust twice in the 90s and donated the Denbie's Wing which houses the hospital’s A&E, hip and knee units.

He is also a registered donor to the Epsom and Ewell Conservative Party having financed a political researcher for MP Chris Grayling in February 2009.

Mr White said: “I appreciate the correction. I have never had any personal financial interest in the trust and did not do anything for personal financial gain.”

Leader of the Epsom and Ewell Conservatives Councillor Sean Sullivan: “It is typical of the Lib Dems to deceive in their literature.

“It is a shame that they attacked such a public figure for their own personal political gain.”

Coun Lees statement in full: In last year’s general election, for which I was standing as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Epsom and Ewell, I published and circulated a leaflet setting out my policies and concerns for the area that included some references to Epsom Hospital.

As part of that leaflet I referred to a quote from Mr Adrian White of Denbies, his involvement with Epsom Hospital and Chris Grayling MP. The quote had been published by the BBC mentioning his plans for Epsom Hospital.

As is well known, Mr White is a generous benefactor of the hospital. He donated the Denbies Wing, which now houses accident and emergency, and the South London Hip and Knee Unit, and has been involved in trying to secure the best possible future for the hospital for the past 20 years. He also served as the chairman of Epsom Healthcare Trust from 1990 to 1994 and from 1997 to 1999.

I understand Mr White is concerned my leaflet may have been understood to imply his interest in the hospital was motivated by the prospect of personal financial gain. I wish to clarify this was never my intention. The comments in the leaflet were intended to draw attention to Mr Grayling’s involvement in the process.

I wish to make clear Mr White has only ever proposed that the hospital should be run through his charitable trust. I am happy to clarify this situation.