Harrogate mayor George Crowther is right to be annoyed that an unfilled pothole caused him to fall and hurt himself. But it is disappointing to learn that his response has been to sue his own council for compensation.

Everyone, save for the insurance industry, loses out to this burgeoning compensation culture. Councils like Harrogate have to pay enormous insurance premiums to cover themselves for accidents such as Mr Crowther's. That leaves them less money to pay for the important things, like resurfacing roads.

We wish Mr Crowther a speedy recovery. And we hope that Harrogate Borough Council now attends to the hole in the road. Then at least some larger good will have come from this unplanned mayoral trip.

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