THREE Bolton councillors have been cleared of any wrongdoing after a boozy night of shame in a pub.

Staff at the Spinning Mule in Nelson Square said they had been verbally assaulted by a rowdy group of drinkers, including a number of councillors, following the Mayor making ceremony in May.

One member of the group is alleged to have demanded: "Do you know who I am?" after being refused more drink.

Bolton Council leader Cllr Cliff Morris referred the matter to the Standards Board for England after interviewing pub staff and councillors and watching CCTV footage from the night, but made no complaints about any member.

The Standards Board said there was no evidence of breach of code of conduct and, because no complaints had been made, there was no need for further investigation.

Cllr Morris said: "I'm very pleased that it has reached this outcome.

"The Standards Board are happy that there has been no breach of the code of conduct and there will be no further action against any individual. It's incumbent of councillors to remember in their private lives that they are still elected representatives."

Cllr Peel said: "None of the allegations that appeared in the press related to me."

Cllr Hornby said: "I accept that members of the party were quite drunk but we were not among them.

"We were identified as being with them because we are known to members of the public."

Cllr Jean Cottam was unavailable for comment.