THE Mayor of Southampton has been cleared after an investigation into whether he breached the council's code of conduct.

A probe found that Councillor John Slade had failed to declare he had made a complaint to the council over the closure of waterfront access at Bitterne Park, Southampton.

He then voted as vice-chairman of the planning panel that decided to launch a legal action against Dell Wharf Residents' Society (DWRS).

The society had closed a pedestrian route to Riverside Walk in breach of a planning agreement.

Jeff Etherington from of the DWRS said the decision was biased, unfairly heard and prejudiced by Cllr Slade's personal interest.

Mr Etherington made a complaint to the Standards Board for England in March last year, accusing Cllr Slade of failing to declare an interest, withdraw or seek advice from the council solicitor.

Investigation However, following a four-month investigation the council's solicitor found Cllr Slade did not have a personal interest under the code of conduct and there was therefore no evidence he had failed to comply with it.

The council's standards and governance committee yesterday decided to accept the monitoring officers report and take no further action.

It warned all councillors, no matter how experienced, to seek advice if unsure and: "If in doubt declare."

Mr Etherington, who did not attend the committee meeting, was unavailable for comment.

Cllr Slade said: "The report speaks for itself."