ALLEGATIONS of sexual harassment within a town hall will not be investigated - unless there is a formal complaint.

Catterick Village councillor Tony Pelton stunned a full meeting of Richmondshire District Council on Tuesday night when he used the council chamber to level an accusation at an unnamed colleague.

But he threatened to go public if the individual did not apologise for "brushing up" against female members of staff who work for the authority, based at Swale House.

Coun Pelton was urged to withdraw his remarks by council chairman, Michael Heseltine, who suggested he may not realise the severity of his allegations.

But Coun Pelton declined, although he agreed not to discuss the matter further during Tuesday's meeting.

Yesterday, chief executive, Harry Tabiner, confirmed that Coun Pelton had yet to make a formal complaint.

"We cannot really investigate unless he contacts us, and I have no idea if that is his intention,'' he said.

Coun Pelton's claims came as he was expecting to face formal censure himself, following remarks about the physical attributes of three female council employees, published in his own newsletter.

The council voted instead to record its "regret and disappointment".

But council leader John Blackie said that the standards committee, which found Coun Pelton guilty of bringing the council into disrepute, should not be dismissed as a toothless watchdog.

"All but one of the council members voted to record their 'regret and disappointment' and I think Coun Pelton can take that as a formal censure," he said.

Coun Pelton could not be reached for comment last night