A COUNCILLOR who caused outrage by claiming expenses while living 4,500 miles away from his constituency has been reported to the police.

Stephen Gregory, who resigned from Wear Valley District Council on Friday, is the subject of a complaint by fellow councillor Chris Foote Wood.

Coun Foote Wood, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition on the council, is complaining about alleged statements made about him by Mr Gregory in media interviews.

Coun Foote Wood has also complained to the Standards Board for England, which can bar people from public office.

Coun Foote Wood was one of Mr Gregory's sternest critics after it emerged the former butcher was serving his Bishop Auckland constituents by telephone from his new home in the Dominican Republic.

He later moved a motion, passed by the council, to vary councillors' allowances to take account of attendance at meetings, or lack of it.

Coun Foote Wood has also made complaints to the Standards Board against Councillor John Shuttleworth for "foul and obscene" language and against Councillor Ron Grogan, whom he alleges has been abusive and launched persistent personal attacks on him in the council chamber.

In a statement, Coun Foote Wood said he was disgusted by some councillors' behaviour. He said: "Since putting forward the motion, I have been subject to abusive and threatening personal attacks by certain members of this council, one of whom used obscene language in the council chamber.

"Behaviour of this kind is totally unacceptable in any civilised organisation, and least of all by councillors who are supposedly dedicated to the welfare of the people we represent."

Mr Gregory was unavailable for comment, but Coun Shuttleworth said: "I totally refute these allegations. His complaints just don't stack up and smack of him just being after the publicity. I might have used one swear word along the lines of 'typical of a bloody Liberal Democrat', but that was it."

Coun Grogan, a former Liberal Democrat whose ward is in Tow Law, said: "I have no comment to make at this time and will just wait and see what happens."