A Tory move to force the Kingston Council executive to make a written apology to parents affected by the fiasco over school places has been defeated.

Lib Dem executive members insisted they had already done so and voted against making an "unreserved" apology.

Six families are still waiting to hear back about whether they have got their children choice of primary school for next year. Another 19 parents are deciding between an offer of two places.

Executive member for schools and families Tricia Bamford told a Kingston Council meeting on Tuesday night only three parents had contacted her directly and asked her for an apology.

She said: "For those people that have contacted me direct and asked for an apology I have and there was only three.

"Of course I am sorry that people have been distressed. I am in total sympathy but at the end of the day it has been sorted out by a good and dedicated team here in Kingston under our instruction."

Her party leader Derek Osborne said: "We have already done apologies. We apologised at public meetings. We apologised at executive. I don't know how many times you want us to say we apologise for the stress and concern to parents. We have gone to great lengths to ameliorate that."

Coun Osborne also told the meeting there may be an argument for building a new secondary school in the borough, if the figures stacked up again next year.

He said: "What I said was if data remains consistent there's quite clearly an argument, not a political argument but a real argument, for building a secondary school in the north of the borough and if the data and number of pupils requires it we will build one."

But Tory Nick Kilby, who denied a charge of using the crisis for political ends, said: "Tonight we have had two apologies and I thank the two people that gave them.

"I'm sure a lot of parents will think about this when they have an opportunity to put a cross in a box."

Earlier fellow Lib Dem councillor Don Jordan said: "It is quite remarkable how few parents have complained to councillors. I have had none. I think it's because parents do have clear information about who to turn to if they have concerns."

Have you been apologised to by the council? Leave a comment or contact schools reporter Mike Didymus on 020 8330 9553 or mdidymus@london.newsquest.co.uk.