"THE point has been made".

That was a Tory leader's verdict after his party allowed their number one enemy to finally be given an honorary award last night.

Bournemouth Conservative leader Stephen MacLoughlin said they could now be magnanimous' towards former councillor Adrian Fudge - a month after voting against him being named an Alderman for 20 years' service.

Councillors are usually given the award as a rubber stamp.

But it took an appeal for Mr Fudge to get the award after Tory party members objected to the Mr Fudge's record with the previous Liberal Democrat administration - especially over the election-day casino deal.

The title was granted last night without debate or dissent.

Mr MacLoughlin told the Echo afterwards his party members felt less strongly after a special committee concluded there was no wrong-doing over the casino deal.

He said: "People can make up their own minds about the decision.

"Future councillors who want to be Alderman will have to think carefully about their conduct."

Mr Fudge was not present but told the Echo last night: "The whole thing was founded on revenge politics. They couldn't beat me in open debate so they decided to seek their revenge when I wasn't there."

Mr Fudge will formally receive his title on December 4 and has the right to address the council - so there may be once last chance for to again face his enemies on the debating floor.

Cllr Anne Rey, leader of the independent group, said a lot of work had gone on between the party leaders. She said: "It's just a shame it happened in the first place.

"Only one of the five people being made Alderman turned up and I hope it's because they didn't feel the event had been devalued."

Cllr Michael Everingham, a Conservative member for Boscombe East, backed the motion and said afterwards: "I care little for political ball games that some members play to get their foot on the ladder.

"Their actions do nothing for the integrity of the council in the long run."