SOME semblance of peace has returned to a town council which was headline news when a row blew up over who sat where.

Conservative David Johnson was adamant that he should be allowed to sit next to fellow Tory, Oliver Blease, in the Richmond council chamber.

When he was at first refused on the grounds it would be a breach of tradition, he made his point by turning up early for the next meeting and sat next to his Conservative colleague regardless.

At first, he refused to move, although later he accepted a compromise which saw him take a place in the public gallery for the rest of that meeting. However, it meant he was unable to speak on issues until the town council asked for questions from the public.

Afterwards, Mr Johnson remained adamant that a letter from an expert on local government backed his position, suggesting to the town council that the issue could even breach the European Human Rights Convention.

This week, the argument was resolved when the town council issued a statement confirming that in future, David Johnson and Oliver Blease would be sitting together.

It reads: "The chairman of the Liberal Democrats, Councillor Terri Bell, has agreed to exchange seats with Councillor Oliver Blease to allow the two Conservative councillors to sit together.

"The Liberal Democrats have been offered the opportunity to sit in a political grouping but have declined, not wishing to bring political groups further into the town council.

"They want to work with all councillors, whatever their affiliation, for the benefit of the whole community, plus they recognise and want to keep traditions of the town from being eroded further."