TEN prominent North-East Liberal Democrats have been cleared of bringing the party into disrepute after a protracted investigation.

The group, who include six members of the new Durham County Council, had all threatened to quit the party in February last year in a row over the selection of candidates.

The Lib Dems’ Bishop Auckland branch had to hold two meetings to choose their candidates after an ineligible person voted at the first vote held at Cockton Hill Working Men’s Club.

A re-run ballot held a fortnight later produced different results, with party veteran Chris Foote Wood one of the casualties.

He was originally selected for the Bishop Auckland ward, but switched to Woodhouse Close for the second ballot, only to come third.

He went on to stand for the new council in Newton Aycliffe but failed to win a seat.

Mr Foote Wood, along with John Ferguson and Derek Jago, reported the ten members at the time when they signed a round robin letter threatening to resign unless Mr Foote Wood withdrew from the selection process.

The complaint was first passed to the national party, then referred back to regional level for investigation.

Last night Mr Taylor said he was relieved at the outcome, but disappointed that the investigation had taken many months to conclude.

He said: "I am pleased it is over. We were confident all along that we had no case to answer but it was ridiculous that we had this hanging over us for so long.

"Six of the ten people have important roles in the community and we should not have had to go through this for nearly 18 months."

Mr Foote Wood declined to comment on the investigation saying only: "It is a matter of regret that this has taken so long."

A spokesman for the Lib Dems’ regional office confirmed last night that the investigation had been completed and no further action was being taken.