LEGAL costs have stopped York's Conservative leader from suing the city's Liberal Democrats, he claimed today.

Councillor John Galvin said he would face a bill of up to £20,000 if he attempted to sue City of York Council's opposition group for defamation.

He consulted a lawyer after the Liberal Democrats published claims in a party newsletter following the Conservatives support for Labour in a motion of no confidence.

The newsletter, which was not distributed publicly, said: "Tory leader John Galvin's support was bought by Labour. He is to receive a big pay rise as he takes on a role as scrutiny management committee chair and expects to become Lord Mayor next year."

Coun Galvin claimed the comments were libellous.

"Firstly, it suggests that my political support is capable of being purchased, which is a disgraceful slur on my personal integrity," he said.

"Secondly, it suggests that my vote was bought for a position as chair of the scrutiny management committee and a promise to be Lord Mayor. Both suggestions are without any factual foundation."

He took further legal advice after the Liberal Democrats failed to apologise for their claims.

He said: "Following this advice, I cannot afford to pursue a legal action against York's Liberal Democrats as it would cost me somewhere between £15,000 and £20,000 to bring such an action. It seems that libel and defamation can continue.

"It is a sad reflection on society that attacks of this nature can be made with little chance of legal challenge."

Liberal Democrat leader Steve Galloway said today that the newsletter was an internal document which had been seen only by a handful of people. He said: "I think that Coun Galvin is making a mountain out of a molehill. This is an internal document and I dread to think about what the Conservatives say about me in their internal documents."

Updated: 11:55 Tuesday, August 27, 2002