Two councillors accused of abusive behaviour will not face any action from the Standards Board for England, The Northern Echo has learnt.

Councillors John Shuttleworth and Ron Grogan were reported by Councillor Chris Foote Wood, the leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Wear Valley District Council.

Coun Foote Wood had accused Coun Shuttleworth of "foul and obscene language" and Coun Grogan of abusive and persistent personal attacks on him in the council chamber.

However the Standards Board, which can bar people from public office, has decided that the allegations against the pair, who are both independents, should not be investigated.

In its decision the Standards Board said: "In all the circumstances, it was considered that the alleged conduct, even if it were found to have occurred, is not of such significance itself to justify investigation and any consequent action.

"This is not to suggest that the board condones or approves of any such alleged conduct."

Councillor Foote Wood said he was disappointed with the outcome, but said he felt he had "put a marker down".

Meanwhile it emerged last night that a further complaint by Coun Foote Wood against former Wear Valley Councillor Stephen Gregory will also not be pursued by the Standards Board.

Mr Foote Wood had complained about alleged statements made about him by Mr Gregory in media interviews and had also reported the matter to the police.

A Standards Board spokeswoman said the allegations were felt not to be of such significance to justify spending public money on an investigation.

Mr Gregory, a former butcher, sparked a storm when it emerged he was serving his Bishop Auckland constituents by telephone from his new home, 4,500 miles in the Dominican Republic.