THE dismantling of shared services revealed that there was little love lost between the independents - several of whom were once Tories - who run Richmondshire and the Conservatives in control of neighbouring Hambleton.

The relationship will not have improved by a claim in last week's D&S by Richmondshire deputy leader Mick Griffiths that Hambleton had increased its council tax bills this year.

Several Hambleton Conservatives have been in-touch to point out that their district actually froze its precept for 2015/16.

Spectator is sure the error by Cllr Griffiths, who was responding to election baiting by the Tories, was unintentional.

Cllr Griffiths was not the only independent to have their slip-up pointed out by a Conservative.

Richmond parliamentary candidate Robin Scott stated at the hustings at The Wensleydale School last week that the Richmond seat had never had a MP who had not attended a public school, only for Rishi Sunak to immediately point out that the man they all hope to replace, William Hague, attended a state comprehensive near Rotherham.

In Darlington, an error made by members of the local Ukip party landed their candidate David Hodgson in potentially more embarrassing hot water.

The party claimed that their candidate had not been invited to two hustings events, including one to discuss lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues and another on the environment, only for Mr Hodgson to later admit he had received an invitation to the environment event.

He stood by the claim he had not been invited to the LGBT hustings, but said he would still be interested in organising a gay pride event in Darlington.