Tory councillors refused to sign a motion last night calling for the publication of a confidential plan at the centre of claims Kingston Hospital could lose its A+E and maternity unit.

NHS managers were told by Liberal Democrat councillors on the influential health and overview scrutiny committee they must bring the report into the public arena.

But Tory councillors were still not sure extracts of the plan leaked to Kingston and Surbiton MP Edward Davey, prove a genuine threat.

They also objected to the "derogatory" wording of a motion calling for publication.

The show 18 options for all five of south-west London hospitals - 16 of which include Kingston losing a major service and were admitted as genuine last night, although NHS London chiefs said they could still change.

Tory councillor Dennis Doe asked for the removal of a line which said: "This panel is appalled at the smoke screen that NHS London has thrown up and the pressures that are being put upon our local NHS providers to play down the impact of loss of services at Kingston Hospital."

Hospital chairman Christopher Smallwood had also rejected the line saying no pressure was being put on Kingston.

But the three Conservatives declined to support the demands.

Councillor Doe said: "I don't pick up there was a smoke screen."

And fellow Tory councillor Mary Clark said: "I'm not happy with either side. When in doubt, do nowt."

The three Liberal Democrat councillors voted in favour of a motion demanding the publication of the South West London Strategic Plan.

Liberal Democrat chairman Don Jordan cast the deciding vote.

He said after the meeting: "I simply do not understand why the Tories refuse to back the demands of the council’s administration and local MPs for simple ‘truth and public discussion’."

"This panel is now aware of the content of extracts from a document entitled ‘South West London Strategic Plan’, which is marked ‘private and confidential’, ‘final draft December 18 2009’.

"The document includes options for change, under which Kingston Hospital would lose at least one major service in 16 of the 18 options identified.

6 of the 18 options would include the loss of Accident and Emergency and Maternity provision as well as paediatric in-patient provision; 12 of the options would involve the loss of paediatric in-patient provision; 8 of the options would remove elective surgery provision.

This Panel:

- Thanks the Chief Executive and Chairman of Kingston Hospital Trust for their evidence this evening and wishes to pass on its congratulations to the Trust and all members of staff for their invaluable contribution to the healthcare of their community;

- calls upon NHS London to publish this document immediately;

- requests, under Standing Order No 9, that this resolution is referred to the next meeting of Full Council on 30 March 2010.