WIGAN Council opposition leader Robert Bleakley has condemned an investigation into his conduct and insists he has done nothing wrong.

Councillor Bleakley says he is simply a hard working people's representative who will stand his ground in a dispute.

The Tyldesley-based Liberal Democrat, who represents Hindsford ward on Wigan Council, this week said he was shocked by an allegation that there had been concern over his treatment of colleagues and members of the public.

The claim was revealed last week after Cllr Bleakley pulled out of a local authority hearing to which he was summoned along with fellow councillors Evelyne Smith and Susan Loudon.

Cllr Bleakley claims he was unaware his presence was requested at the hearing to investigate alleged complaints about his attitude to others.

But this week Wigan Council Leader Lord Smith, who would have sat in on the informal hearing along with Director of Legal Services and borough solicitor Mrs Susan Lowe, said: "There are allegations about him. I'm not saying he has done anything. There were others who were asked to attend the hearing. It wasn't just Robert.

"Now the matter will go to the standards committee who will determine what we will do. I am not sure when that will be -- it is not the world's most important happening."

Cllr Bleakley, speaking at his Dorning Street home, denied he had "mistreated" anyone.

Wrangle

He said: "I'm not that type of person, but I'll always fight my corner. I don't want to dirty my party or anybody's name. I'm in the public eye all the time -- I've not got to lose my rag.

Cllr Bleakley said that during a recent planning wrangle in his ward he had been concerned for his own safety after he alleged threats were made to smash his windows.

He admitted: "Perhaps at times I did come over as quite brash. It's probably my way, but there was no nastiness. My concern was my safety and my house."