DEPUTY county council leader Alex King and lobbying guru Douglas Smith share the same exclusive private members' club in Westminster.

Documents show Conservative Mr King used the council's chauffeur-driven car to ferry him to and from St Stephen's Club on 15 occasions between March 2010 and March 2011.

Mr King this week said all these trips were in relation to council business and said he did not use the nearby rail network for the 75-mile return journey because cars afforded privacy and the opportunity to carry out council work at the same time.

St Stephen's Club is popular with senior Tory Party figures.

Until he was elected Prime Minister, David Cameron was a member and uses the club for meetings, according to Mr Smith.

And it was here Mr Cameron wooed Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg after the 2010 election, convincing him to join forces with the Tories and form the Coalition Government.

Founded by 19th century Tory and two-time Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, the £500-a-year club is now officially politically neutral, although it maintains strong links with the Conservative Party.

Mr Smith, the man who founded all three lobbying firms used by the council since 1999, was club chairman for eight years until 2010.

Asked to describe his relationship with Mr King, he said: "He's a member of the club, a close friend."

Mr King said on Wednesday the pair had been friends for 20 years.