A WATCHDOG has cleared two Tory councillors of misconduct after a row over the £20,000 golden goodbye scheme.

Councillors Matthew Evans and Leslie Knight sent a leaflet round their Allt-Yr-Yn ward questioning the pay-off to retiring councillors.

But the council thought the election leaflet was "defamatory and inflammatory", and called in the Ombudsman to investigate in April.

Now the Ombudsman has dropped the case, saying the leaflet was "part of the rough and tumble of political life".

Councillor Matthew Evans said: "It was a needless investigation, and a desperate measure by a council trying to defend the indefensible. "This decision should enable more councillors to voice their opinions without fear of recrimination.

"We simply asked if taxpayers thought it was right that this money was being paid out while council tax rises.

"Ultimately it should be up to the electorate to decide whether they find your actions or comments offensive."

Councillor Les Knight said: "I hope we can get on with more important things."

The Ombudsman investigates allegations of maladministration and breaches of the code of conduct in local government.

The controversial Assembly 'golden goodbye' scheme paid between £16,000 and £20,000 to councillors with more than 16 years of service if they stood down in June's elections. Newport and Torfaen were the only Gwent councils to adopt the long service award.

Councillor Bill Langsford, the former chairman of the audit committee who reported the leaflet, said: "We did think it brought the council and its members into disrepute. But we have to accept the Ombudsman's decision."