THE wife of artist Mack enzie Thorpe has spoken of the family's relief that a long-running dispute with a former member of the gallery staff is finally over.

An industrial tribunal has cleared Mr Thorpe and his wife Susan of the unfair dismissal of sales assistant Angela Davis in 2001.

At a hearing in Newcastle last year Miss Davis alleged she was bullied by the artist, who is renowned for his paintings of square sheep and the industrial North-East where he grew up.

Miss Davis claimed the relationship deteriorated to such a degree she was off work for 33 weeks with depression and was subsequently dismissed as she was unable to do her job.

The Thorpes always maintained they had tried to resolve Miss Davis's complaints amicably and last Thursday the tribunal unanimously found in their favour.

Mr Thorpe is currently working in America and was informed of the decision by phone.

Speaking at the Arthaus gallery in Finkle Street, Richmond Mrs Thorpe said: "We are so relieved.

"For a small business like ours it has taken so much time and energy to fight this case.

"We support the principles of tribunals but we have learned a lot from this and have changed our policies when it comes to employment.

"It may not always be easy to use lawyers to draw up employment contracts but we have found out it may prove cheaper in the long run.''

Mrs Thorpe said the tribunal had found no evidence that her husband had bullied Miss Davis and she denied any suggestion he had moved to America to escape the pressures of the case. Mrs Thorpe insisted the family missed Richmond and North Yorkshire.

Mrs Thorpe said: "It was simply work which took Mackenzie over to the States.

"There were so many opportunities over there and it was the right time in his career to take them on.''

Miss Davis has opened her own art gallery on Richmond's Finkle Street since leaving the Thorpes and, although disappointed by the tribunal ruling she remained philosophical.

Miss Davis said: "This took two years of my life but I think I have come out of it a stronger person.

"I have managed to make a success of my own business and I would like to thank my family, friends and customers who supported me throughout the tribunal.

"I also owe a lot the GMB union; without them, workers would find it hard to stand up for their rights."