TORIES today hit out after their calls for a Labour councillor to be censured fell on deaf ears.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's Conservative group complained to the Standards Board for England -- the national watchdog for councillors -- claiming Coun Jim Smith 'failed to treat others with respect.'

The allegations, had they been substantiated, would have merited a breach of the national code of conduct to which all councillors agree when elected.

Three different claims were made, all of which centred on Coun Smith's handling of a controversial planning meeting in November.

Plans for a children's home in Hoddlesden were approved, despite fierce objections from local people.

Tory leader Coun Colin Rigby claimed Coun Smith's refusal to allow members of his party ask a legal question in public, while allowing a Labour councillor to ask a planning question, constituted failure to treat everyone with respect.

But the Standards Board decided to take no action after being told the Labour councillor's question was a planning one, so could be answered in public, whereas council rules stipulate solicitors cannot answer legal queries in public.

Coun Rigby said: "We're very angry about this decision. He did treat my councillors with a lack of respect.

"He engineered a situation where we couldn't defend residents or air their concerns."