Braintree Council’s leader hopes divisions between his party and the opposition can be healed after he was cleared of bullying. Tory chief Graham Butland was cleared of found not to have breaching the council’s code of conduct following two complaints made by Independent councillor Jo Beavis. In a statement made by Mr Butland during a full council meeting, he said he hoped the relationship between his party and the leading opposition – the Greens and Independents – could be repaired as the outcome of the bullying probe had removed a “major obstacle”. Mr Butland also said he had invited Green leader James Abbott back to group leader and cabinet meetings.