AN investigation into claims of “inappropriate behaviour” by councillors will not be referred to the police.

Former Tendring Council leader Peter Halliday made allegations against some of his fellow Tory councillors shortly before quitting his post during a public meeting in December.

But the council’s legal services manager, who looked into the allegations, has now said the issue does not warrant a police investigation.

In his resignation speech, Mr Halliday, a landscaper and builder, of Gorse Lane, Great Clacton, claimed the local Conservative party had behaved “totally inappropriately”.

Following an internal investigation, council chief executive Ian Davidson said: “The monitoring officer has informed me that she has concluded her inquiries and is satisfied that there is no evidence of any potential criminal activity or corruption.

“Therefore there is nothing to be referred onto Essex Police to investigate further and we will be notifying them of that.”

However, Mr Davidson confirmed Mr Halliday had referred to some matters which could be potential breaches of the council’s own code of conduct.

“These will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the complaints procedure agreed by Tendring Council members last year,” he said.

“The next stage in the process will be to seek clarification on the allegations.”