AN investigation into a county councillor accused of branding a member of a residents association "disgraceful" has been discontinued.

North Yorkshire County Council's standards committee agreed there was no case to answer involving the complaint against Councillor John Blackie.

The allegation was made by Bernard Borman following a meeting of the Richmondshire area committee on January 21, when Coun Blackie successfully moved that members should decline a request for a local inquiry into traffic calming measures proposed for the Brentwood estate at Leyburn and that the scheme should go ahead.

Mr Borman lives in Brentwood and has long campaigned for the road to remain a cul-de-sac instead of becoming a through route because of a housing development on adjoining land. His wife is on the committee of the residents' association, which has expressed similar views.

Mr Borman, who was not at the area committee meeting, complained that Coun Blackie said his wife was disgraceful, which could lead to a breach of the peace, and that his comments showed prejudice, which might render the committee vote null and void.

Coun Blackie could not attend the preliminary hearing of the standards committee because of other commitments, but told county council chief executive Jeremy Walker in a letter that he did not call Mrs Borman disgraceful.

Coun Denis Pedder, who was supported by independent member Kathleen Jones in proposing no further action, said: "I am happy in my mind that this was not a vindictive statement against any individual. I am sure it was a collective thing in the heat of the debate."

The proposal was accepted by five committee members but opposed by Coun Jim Snowball, who felt more information was needed.