A COUNCILLOR who was accused of threatening to put a fist in another member's face has been cleared of any wrongdoing.

Bill Blenkinsopp, a member of Sedgefield Borough Council in Tony Blair's County Durham constituency, has condemned the investigation as a waste of taxpayers' money.

He was reported to the Standards Board for England over the confrontation, which is alleged to have taken place in the members' room last November.

A report from the Standards Board says: "According to the complainant, Coun Blenkinsopp told the councillor that he and his wife had 'better watch out'.

"The complainant alleged that Coun Blenkinsopp put his hand on the shoulder of the councillor, who was seated in a swivel chair, turned him around and threatened to put a fist in his face."

The report says Coun Blenkinsopp denied the allegation and adds: "He claimed that he merely told the councillor to stop spreading malicious rumours about his partner or he would be 'for it'.

"Coun Blenkinsopp stated that he meant that he would report the councillor to the Standards Board or take legal action."

The ethical standards officer accepted there had been a heated exchange, but said Coun Blenkinsopp had not placed a fist in the member's face.

He also did not accept that Coun Blenkinsopp had spun the councillor round in his chair.

As a result, he found there was no breach of the Code of Conduct and no action needed to be taken.

Coun Blenkinsopp said last night the whole exercise had been a waste of time and money.

He said that serious injuries he received several years ago in a car accident, when he was badly burned, made the allegations laughable.

He said: "I can't even make a fist, it's a physical impossibility due to my injuries.

"This was first of all reported to the police and when they wouldn't do anything about it, the same person reported it to the Standards Board. It has been a complete waste of taxpayers' money."

Another Sedgefield councillor, Bill Waters, has had a complaint against him referred to the Adjudication Panel for England, which will hold a tribunal in August against allegations that he "failed to treat another person with respect".