An MP who launched a four-letter tirade at a council official was ordered to apologise - or face being sent to the tower.

Des Turner, MP for Brighton Kemptown, breached the MPs' code of conduct by delivering a volley of "foul and abusive language" at a housing officer whom he believed was obstructing attempts to find a council home for one of his constituents.

The House of Commons authorities have the power to suspend Dr Turner, withdraw his salary, expel him or even imprison him for the duration of a ten-month Parliamentary session in a room in the lower-third of the Palace of Westminster's Clock Tower if he does not apologise.

The officer, Jerry Aldous, who has worked in Brighton and Hove City Council's housing department for 16 years, made a formal complaint to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards following a "disturbing and upsetting" phone conversation with Dr Turner.

During the call, on May 12 last year, Dr Turner told Mr Aldous that his constituent was a very vulnerable man and said: "Just f****** house him."

The Labour MP then shouted that Mr Aldous was, "just a little f****** useless pen-pusher".

The commissioner, Sir Philip Mawer, said what Dr Turner had perceived to be obstructiveness was probably the result of a breakdown in communication within the local authority.

The council found Mr Aldous had acted in good faith.

Dr Turner claimed the officer must have "led a sheltered life" if he was not used to being sworn at by elected representatives. However, the Committee on Standards and Privileges said the MP had breached the Commons Code of Conduct, which forbids members bringing the House into disrepute.

Its report said: "Dr Turner should not have spoken to Mr Aldous in the terms in which he did and the fact that he did so reflects badly on him. Dr Turner's personal reputation is undoubtedly damaged."

The committee said Mr Aldous was "undoubtedly entitled" to a written apology. It said Dr Turner should do so without further delay and concluded: "If Dr Turner does not do so we reserve the right to return to the matter."

The consequences of refusing to apologise could be severe. The Commons authorities still have the power to send members to the Clock Tower as a punishment for bringing the House into disrepute. Charles Bradlaugh was the last member committed to the tower, in 1880, for repeatedly refusing to take the oath of allegiance to the Crown.

Dr Turner told The Argus he would put his apology in the post today. He said: "I was just so mortified and angry. My view was that swearing was trivial against the damage which would have been caused to my constituent."

Mr Aldous, 50, from Brighton, said: "The judgement clearly upholds that his behaviour was abusive and unacceptable."

The constituent was later found accommodation.