A council today hit back at claims it could not be trusted to police planning agreements over a new stadium at Falmer.

Brighton and Hove City Council said there was no evidence to justify or support the allegation.

Mary Macpherson, representing the council, in her final statement to the public inquiry into the scheme, attacked comments by University of Brighton Vice Chancellor Sir David Watson .

Sir David told the hearing he could not rely on the council to enforce planning conditions as the council would have an interest in the stadium.

He said there was a "history of political alignment" between the club and councillors and similar agreements at Withdean did not inspire confidence.

The university, which owns about a quarter of the stadium site at Village Way North, wants tougher legal safeguards before signing up to the scheme.

Miss Macpherson said: "The council is extremely disappointed by Sir David's comment.

"The University of Brighton, one of the country's newest universities, is described as a centre of academic excellence.

"This statement is unworthy of its Vice-Chancellor."

She said the University of Brighton initiated the stadium project in 1997 and the application would not have been made unless the university was willing to sell its land.

She said the stadium would bring major economic benefits to Brighton and Hove and was in the national interest.

Alternative sites had been tested and none had the benefits of Falmer, Miss Macpherson told the inquiry.

The stadium would not be built until the council was satisfied it was viable and the authority was confident funding would be available.

Miss Macpherson said financial information put before the inquiry by club chief executive, Martin Perry, was sufficient for the Secretary of State to approve the stadium.

The Albion was to make its closing submission before the hearing closes today. Opponents say the 22,000 seat stadium at Village Way North should be rejected.