Lambeth’s deputy mayor has "categorically" denied allegations she assaulted a man leaving him with a broken jaw, broken ribs and requiring 27 stitches.

Councillor Judith Best was arrested and bailed after Neil Potter, 41, of Fullsbrook Road, Streatham, was assaulted in the early hours of Friday morning in Madeira Road.

Coun Best, 51, also denies conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.

She was arrested by appointment on Saturday and has been bailed to return to a south London police station in September.

Her son, Scott Richards, 31, was captured on Sunday in Catford, following a police chase.

He was arrested and charged with grievous bodily harm and remains in custody at a south London police station. Police are still looking for others in connection with the incident.

Lambeth police attended the scene shortly after 3.20am and an ambulance took Mr Potter to a south London hospital, where he needed 27 stitches for his injuries.

He had an operation on his jaw the next day.

His father, Steve Potter, said he would be forced to eat soft food for at least eight weeks, adding "he is lucky to be alive".

But in a statement, Coun Best’s solicitor, Emmanuel Edada, said: "Coun Best strongly denies the allegations against her. While she does not wish to prejudice an active police investigation, she is concerned that an inaccurate and clearly incomplete version of events is beginning to take hold in the press.

"She states categorically she was not aware of the attack on Mr Potter until she was informed of this incident by the police, and played no part in it, or causing it.

"Coun Best is a valued and highly-esteemed public servant and does not condone criminal activity in any form.

"She was seriously injured that evening in an earlier incident and is pursuing criminal charges [against her assailants]. It is asked that the police are allowed to conduct their investigation in a thorough manner."

A Lambeth police spokesman said they could not confirm details of counter allegations, but said officers were conducting a full investigation.

Coun Best, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Streatham Wells ward, is currently vice-chairman of the young people’s service scrutiny sub-committee and sits on the council’s corporate parenting board.

Lambeth police’s GBH unit is investigating. Anyone with information should call 020 8649 2012 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.