London borough councillors apologise after getting caught watching football on iPad during debate

The pair were watching Crystal Palace vs Everton

The councillors say they were momentarily checking their local team's score (Getty Images)

Two London borough councillors have apologised after they were caught watching football on an iPad during an official debate in the council chamber.

John Wentworth and Pat Ryan, who represent wards in the London Borough of Croydon, were photographed from the public gallery with a football match on the screen of the device.

The councillors, both from the Labour Party, were pictured watching Crystal Palace play against Everton after someone in the public gallery posted a photograph of them on social media.

Councillor Wentworth told local newspaper the Croydon Guardian he had been “momentarily checking the score” at the time he was photographed.

Councillor Ryan said the pair were “not ignoring what was going on” and wanted to check the score in the local Crystal Palace game.

Both councillors said they apologised if anybody had been upset or offended, however.