A councillor branded sexist over an article in a newsletter he publishes, has printed an attack on his accusers.

Councillor Tony Pelton is editor of The Clarion, circulated free each month in Richmondshire, North Yorkshire.

He got into trouble last month when council staff objected to descriptions of themselves in the Christmas edition.

The item brought a reprimand and demands for an apology from Richmondshire District Council's standards committee.

However, in the latest edition, distributed this week, columnist "Patrick Brompton" claims there is a clique at work which wishes to stifle the Press.

Another item attacks council senior executives.

Speaking from his home in Catterick Village yesterday, Coun Pelton said he had no intention of apologising.

"I have done nothing wrong. The standards committee confirmed that was the case when I was cleared of breaching their code of conduct," he said.

He has threatened to press for a judicial review if the authority does not drop its demand for an apology.

Leader of the administration, John Blackie, said yesterday: "I am very disappointed to hear Tony Pelton is not intending to apologise, because his correspondence indicated he thought he might have caused offence, and we know from members of staff involved that he did."