Cheltenham BC has abandoned its court battle against its former managing director, Christine Laird. The council lost its High Court case for almost £1m in damages against Mrs Laird on 15 June. It claimed Mrs Laird had withheld a history of depressive illness when she was appointed in 2002, and this had cost the council £982,673.19. Mr Justice Hamblen dismissed the council's action in the judgement handed down last week, and rejected a counterclaim for damages by Mrs Laird. Mrs Laird left the council in 2005 on an ill-health pension after taking sick leave on full pay. The council claimed Mrs Laird had taken on the managing director's role knowing she was suffering from mental health problems. But the judge foundMrs Laird knew she suffered from anxiety attacks but did not know she was suffering from a depressive disorder. The local authority's chief executive, Andrew North, said: ‘In light of all of the advice and taking into account the judge's comments, it would not be appropriate to appeal the judgement. We are keen now to move on and draw a line under this matter.'