LABOUR councillors last night demanded an apology after they were cleared of any wrongdoing over a controversial planning issue.

The four party members, and one Conservative, met the Thandi brothers earlier this year to discuss the businessmen’s proposal to build a pub at Castle Hill.

Tory business manager Clr Christine Smith reported the four Labour councillors to the Kirklees Standards Board, claiming they had breached planning protocols by holding an unofficial meeting without informing Kirklees Council officers.

But the watchdog has now cleared Kirklees leader Clr Mehboob Khan, Cabinet member for regeneration Clr Peter McBride and Greenhead Labour members Clr Mohan Sokhal and Clr Judith Hughes.

The Standards Board found that: “the Planning Protocol does provide for informal consultations to take place with potential applicants without officers present”.

Clr Khan said the group had done nothing wrong by meeting Mick and Barry Thandi at the Sikh Leisure Centre on February 13.

“Among the many roles carried out by elected members, it is our duty to meet with local people and discuss important issues that may impact on our communities,” he said.

“In this case we were approached by local businessmen and we were happy to give useful and informal advice. Our meeting was entirely within all council protocols.

“Local people expect councillors to work with businesses throughout the district, from small traders to large national companies, as we always aim to attract investment into the area and to support the Kirklees economy at this difficult financial time.”

Clr McBride last night called on Clr Smith to apologise following the Standards Board’s decision.

“We were always totally confident that this frivolous complaint would be dismissed,” said the Dalton Labour man.

“Clr Smith knew that no planning application had been submitted and that meetings such as these are not unusual, yet she chose to press ahead with this ill-judged complaint.

“In the circumstances, I think it would be reasonable that Clr Smith apologises for wasting the time of all involved and for frittering away taxpayers’ money.”

And Clr McBride criticised the Conservative for failing to report Clr Ken Sims, the only Tory who took part in the meeting with the Thandis.

“Clr Smith’s actions were politically motivated – it was very significant that she ignored the fact that her own Tory colleague, Clr Sims, was at the same meeting.”

But Clr Smith was unrepentant last night.

“I think it’s a disgusting decision,” said the Kirkburton Conservative.

“If a member of public had reported the councillors then the matter would have gone further.

“I don’t think this was a waste of money because I was approached by many people saying this should be reported to the Standards Board.”

Mick and Barry Thandi bought the Castle Hill Hotel in 1998.

It was demolished seven years later following complaints that the businessmen had torn down more of the 200-year-old building than planners had allowed.

Armitage Bridge architect Mark Lee told the Examiner in December that the Thandis were ready to submit a planning application to build a new pub exactly the same size as the original.