Brighton and Hove Albion boss Martin Perry is backing the newly-formed Seagulls Party to overthrow Lewes District Council at next year's elections.

The club's chief executive, yesterday launched a scathing attack on the council for pressing on with its High Court challenge to Falmer stadium. The Government had offered to quash the planning permission and come to a fresh decision after admitting making a mistake in its letter of consent.

But council leader Ann De Vecchi told The Argus yesterday that the cabinet had refused because the Government rejected an ultimatum that it would fully consider its objections.

Speaking from a Football League conference in Portugal, Mr Perry said: "How she can say that beggars belief.

"She is quite aware that by offering to quash the planning permission, the Secretary of state is obliged by law to consider all the evidence and the council would have been invited to make further legal submissions outlining its case, as the club has been.

"Going to court is entirely unnecessary and it is quite clear the council is doing it as a blatant delaying tactic in the hope we will go bust in the meantime."

The case is unlikely to be heard until October at the earliest. Albion are losing £1 million-a-year due to the restricted capacity of Withdean stadium and they cannot attract investors without a proper home.

Mr Perry added: "We need the support of our fans now more than ever and I call on each and every one of them, particularly those in the Lewes District, to get behind the Seagulls Party."