A NATIONAL body that regulates the behaviour of councillors will not be taking any further action against Waverley leader David Harmer for swearing at a member of the public.

Following a Waverley council meeting in January, Mr Harmer told Jeremy Hyman: "Farnham has f****d Hindhead for 30 years." Mr Harmer admitted making the comment in the lobby outside the council chamber.

Mr Hyman reported the Conservative councillor to the Standards Board for England, a recently formed body that has the power to investigate complaints about public figures.

In his letter, Mr Hyman writes that following Mr Harmer's initial use of the F-word, he went on: "Hindhead never gets a f*****g thing. Farnham has been stealing Hindhead's money for 30 years, we can't even get a f******g pavilion."

But the Standards Board has decided not to pursue the matter.

In a letter to Mr Hyman, the board writes: "After careful consideration, the board has decided, during a meeting on 28/2/03 that your allegation will not be referred to one of our ethical standards officers.

"While it is acknowledged that councillor Harmer may have used rude language during a conversation, the board's policy is that allegations which simply involve the use of inappropriate or rude language will not routinely be referred."