Overview
- Darlington Borough Council’s Standards Committee cleared Independent borough councillor Colin Pease of misconduct, noting only a low-level breach for calling a colleague a “prat.”
- The committee ruled parish councillor David Darling’s aggressive conduct triggered the disorder and brought Middleton St George Parish Council into disrepute.
- Recommended measures for Darling include code-of-conduct training, a formal censure by the parish council, and removal from outside committees where applicable.
- An investigator’s report said Darling forcefully shut a door that blocked Pease from leaving before a physical struggle, during which Pease suffered scratches, bleeding and broken glasses.
- Darling did not attend the hearing and, in a statement, denied starting the fight and alleged Pease punched him first, as the panel also reviewed audio recorded at the meeting.