ADRIAN Fudge was involved in arguments to the end - but made a final speech even an enemy conceded was gracious.

The former deputy leader of Bournemouth council was made an honorary alderman of the borough on Tuesday, three months after the Conservatives blocked the ceremonial award. Liberal Democrat Mr Fudge got in the Tories' bad books over the Pavilion casino deal and they had tried to stop him getting the honour after his 20 years as a councillor.

He turned down a congratulatory handshake from Conservative Cllr David Shaw before his speech. He got a standing ovation from all parties except for the Conservatives, who remained seated - bar Cllr Linda Bailey, for Boscombe East.

Mr Fudge told the town hall: "I hope it is accepted I always tried to fight for what I believed in, which probably led to my demise by being up-front, but I can live with my conscience.

"I hope members will have the courage to represent the electorate with an open mind rather than having to be on message', as I read in a recent report."

He thanked the other party leaders but not the boss of his former party, Cllr Claire Smith, for their support against the Conservatives, though she had backed him.

Cllr Smith and her husband Cllr Richard Smith exchanged angry words with Mr Fudge in the chamber after his speech.

Mr Fudge said he had not thanked her because the speech was non-political.

Cllr Smith said she had lobbied members to give Mr Fudge the honour and it would have been "good manners" to thank her. "Even so, I think it was right to make him an honorary alderman," she added.

Tory leader Stephen MacLoughlin who did not applaud Cllr Fudge. He said afterwards: "I was apprehensive he might take the opportunity to score points but he made a good and gracious speech and at the end won applause from all sides."