Police will take no further action against a councillor over an alleged threat made to the leader of Leicestershire County Council.

Conservative deputy leader of the opposition, Councillor Craig Smith, was reported to Leicestershire Police by Reform UK's leader at County Hall, Dan Harrison, over claims that Cllr Smith said he would "knock my block off" during a meeting.

However, it has been confirmed by Leicestershire Police that charges have been dropped. A spokesperson confirmed that a 49-year-old man was voluntarily interviewed in connection with the report made and no further action will be taken.

Cllr Harrison told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): "I have evidence and I believe it did happen.

"It just didn't meet the threshold for the police but it did happen".

The Reform leader also said he would not be able to comment any further due to an internal council investigation.

Cllr Harrison spoke up about the alleged incident during a council meeting on Wednesday, December 3.

He previously said he had been meeting with leader of the opposition, Cllr Deborah Taylor, and Cllr Smith at the time of the alleged incident in a bid to end "direct personal attacks" he felt were being made between members of the two parties on the county council.

He claimed: "Towards the end of our meeting […] Mr Smith threatened me with physical violence and to 'knock my block off if I hurt someone he cared for'.

"[Deputy council leader Kevin] Crook had to intervene to calm the situation down but naturally I was frightened for my personal safety, and I remain wary of in person meetings with Mr Smith. I have reported this matter to the police, as I am not satisfied that the leadership of the Conservative Group has dealt effectively with Mr Smith's conduct and behaviour, to which he has admitted in a subsequent email of apology I received.

"I do not accept that apology and call on their group to take whatever corrective action is necessary."

Members of other parties previously branded it "embarrassing" that the disagreement was being aired in public, rather than being dealt with behind closed doors. They said they want the issue resolved so the authority can go back to concentrating on the "many issues that affect the everyday lives of residents".

Cllr Smith confirmed that he attended Braunstone Police Station to be interviewed in relation to the allegations.

He told the LDRS he wanted to "set the record straight". He said: "At that meeting, Councillor Harrison made subtle threats against Councillor Deborah Taylor, as he has done against me on previous occasions.

"The meeting subsequently became heated as a result, but it should have remained professional.

"Councillor Harrison crossed that line in the meeting and I am sorry for the way I spoke to him back which was clumsy, but not threatening language.

"Mr Harrison chose to wait almost six weeks before raising the matter, ultimately using his position as leader to attempt to publicly damage my reputation.

"That delay, and the manner in which this was handled, speaks for itself. This approach wasted police time and served only as a distraction from the serious council business, both myself and Mr Harrison need to be focusing on."

Cllr Taylor also said that the allegation was "false". She added: "It is regrettable that this allegation was made public and reported to the police, wasting police time and distracting from the important work of serving the people of Leicestershire.

"The police have now concluded their investigation and confirmed that no further action will be taken. We urge all councillors to move forward with professionalism and focus on delivering for residents, not on political point-scoring or unfounded accusations."