Campaigners fighting plans for a football stadium have called on Home Office minister Lord Bassam to put up or shut up.

Green councillors accused Lord Bassam of launching a hysterical outburst against them over their rejection of Falmer as the site for a new 25,000-seater ground.

Instead they want Withdean Stadium to become the permanent home of Brighton and Hove Albion.

Lord Bassam, former Brighton and Hove Council leader, accused the Greens of small-minded thinking in their rejection of Falmer.

He said: "Their plans could consign the club to playing Division Two or Three football forever.

"The Falmer proposals will help Brighton and Hove sustain a successful club."

But Greens spokesman Councillor Keith Taylor said: "We are not afraid to take the flak for what many insiders will privately admit - Falmer is a non-starter.

"It's becoming quite clear that the sums don't add up. The idea is not going to work but Bassam can't admit it.

The Greens say Lord Bassam and the council are guilty of leading fans "up the garden path" and have failed to offer gebuine leadership.

Coun Taylor added: "If he had any real information offering proof of how Falmer could work environmentally, financially and logistically, he should publish it immediately. Otherwise it will become plain the only football he is genuinely interested in is political."

Coun Taylor said Greens were being responsible and realistic in saying Withdean, the club's temporary home, should become permanent and has called for immediate steps to be taken to evaluate the site's potential.