Kingston Council has been forced to backtrack after a Freedom of Information blunder suggested leader Kevin Davis spent £450 on a 25-mile flight from Nice to Cannes during a property networking conference.

Cllr Davis met with property developers at the four-day MIPIM seminar, the world’s largest property conference, in the French Riviera from March 15 to 18.

More than £4,000 of taxpayers’ money was allocated to the trip, but after a Freedom of Information (FOI) request was sent to the council asking for details, the response said the council leader had spent £458.07 on traveling between the French cities.

Friday, October 23: Kingston Council spend £13k sending team to UK's largest property conference

Thursday, February 18: Kingston Council to spend £4k sending leader to property conference in French Riviera

An equivalent train journey can cost just £7 and take just 23 minutes, causing some residents to question the apparent cost of the flight.

A Kingston Council spokeswoman said: "Unfortunately information previously supplied in respect of Freedom of Information requests on this matter was incorrect.

“No flight was taken between Nice and Cannes. The costs identified related instead to an outbound flight from London on the same date."

The annual MIPIM conference gathers the most influential international property players looking to build or invest in office, residential, retail and industrial projects.

The FOI request also revealed that Cllr Davis attended an unspecified event with British Land, one of the companies behind the Eden Walk redevelopment in Kingston town centre.

There was also a half-an-hour session with ex-England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand.

In total Cllr Davis’ expenses totalled £4014.83, including flights, accommodation and a delegate pass.

The sum is some £9,000 lower than budgeted in the previous year when the council sent a delegation to the London event.