Darren Cameron made the claim at Monday’s council meeting and despite calls by a fellow councillor and the mayor to retract the allegation he refused to do so.

“Abortion is legal under some circumstances in NSW, abortion on demand is still illegal in NSW and that’s what this clinic is providing,” Cr Cameron said.

Cr John Stuchbery sought the comment’s withdrawal.

“The medical procedures that are carried out in this clinic are entirely legal, if they not legal then the medical practitioners and possibly the patients themselves would have been arrested by now,” Cr Stuchbery said.

“That statement was inflammatory and unnecessary.”

After urging by mayor Kevin Mack to withdraw the comment because it was “not a proven fact”, Cr Cameron said he was “happy to defend his position in any forum”.

Speaking to The Border Mail on Tuesday, Cr Cameron said “I believe people present and they’re given abortion on demand”.

He alleged there were “turnaround times of 20 minutes” which meant legal counselling requirements were not being met.

Melbourne-based doctor Kathy Lewis, who operates at the Englehardt Street clinic, rejected Cr Cameron’s claim.

“I have no idea how he knows that or where he gets that from,” Dr Lewis said.

“He’s not at the clinic, he’s not privy to my conversations.

“All of my patients receive counselling, if they’re sure of their decision then I will proceed.

“If you’re not sure of your decision, you’re referred to further counselling.”

Asked if she would take legal action over Cr Cameron’s comment, Dr Lewis said no, adding “he’d love me to do that”.

Cr Cameron thinks Albury police should probe abortion procedures at the clinic.

His comments at the council meeting came during a successful motion to seek specialist legal advice about the viability of a protest-free zone outside the clinic.

Dr Lewis said such a zone at her Melbourne clinic had been “phenomenal” in reducing patients’ stress.