Kent County Council called in the police to quiz a senior boss after he expressed anger at the council's burgeoning commercial activity, which he claims competes unfairly with his business.

Jack Parkinson, head of HR Go, a multi-million pound nationwide group of recruitment agencies based in Ashford, received a knock on the door from an officer with "lots of braid."

Mr Parkinson, who was upset and shocked by the visit and 10-minute interview, claims the officer arrived shortly after a debate, organised by Kent Business newspaper, on whether KCC should be involved in private enterprise.

Mr Parkinson, a member of the campaign group KCC - Hands Off Kent Business, stood up during an often heated debate to tell KCC councillors Nick Chard and Mike Snelling, and commercial director, that they should be ashamed of what they were doing. He claims KCC's recruitment business Kent Top Temps competes unfairly with his and other companies in the sector.

Just before the debate, Mr Parkinson privately told Mr Harlock that he "knew where he lived," which he does because of former business links close to Mr Harlock's home. But the remark was considered a threat and promted KCC to call in the police.

Mr Parkinson admits he exchanged a few words with Mr Harlock and might have been slightly aggressive, but no malice was intended.

"It was a jokey thing but he didn't take it as a joke," Mr Parkinson said. He went on to say that the police officer apologised but told him he nad no alternative but to question him because the complaint has come from "a high place in KCC."

He added: "I showed the police officer - a guy with lots of braid - the information I had on Kent Top Temps which disclosed his [Harlock's] private address and the addresses of all the other directors. I showed him the HR Go Companies House information that also discloses my address. I was very upset and shocked when it happened but then I realised it was probably a very good indication of how Mr Harlock feels about the situation. I think KCC realise they are doing something that's wrong. Why else would you respond in that way?"

A KCC spokesman said: "We understand the comments made and repeated by the gentleman involved at the meeting were brought to the attention of Kent Plice. We cannot comment any further." Kent Police confirmed they had interviewed Mr Parkinson but said no proceedings had been brought.

Meanwhile, KCC leader Paul Carter has dismissed as nonsense any suggestion that the council is unfriendly to business. Its commercial services were the envy of public agencies across the South East and profits helped keep the council tax "as low as possible," he said.