A Darlington borough councillor has been cleared of misconduct after a furious fight was compared to a "wrestling match" at a parish council meeting. Tensions boiled over in Middleton St George when borough councillor Colin Pease and parish councillor David Darling were involved in a "physical altercation" at the local community centre in May 2024.

A Darlington Borough Council Standards Committee ruled Cllr Darling's aggressive behaviour led to the shocking disorder and brought the parish council into disrepute after witnesses likened the disorder to a "wrestling match" with punches and "a rugby-type tackle". Cllr Pease, an Independent councillor for the Sadberge and Middleton St George ward, was said to have been left with "scratches and blood on his face" and his "glasses were broken"

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