JOHN Beesley is unlikely to be the leader of the new conurbation unitary council because “he doesn’t have the numbers”, say Conservative sources in Bournemouth.

The current leader of Bournemouth and the main architect of the merger of his council, Christchurch and Poole, is thought to want the top political job in the new set-up next year. But leading Tories don’t believe it will happen.

One senior figure told the Echo: “He has alienated a lot of people. My understanding is that Poole won’t support him for leader and Christchurch certainly won’t. He is deeply unpopular.

“It’s also unlikely that he would have enough support in Bournemouth either. In any event, this new authority will need a fresh leader and a new, open and inclusive approach. There is no appetite for John as leader.”

Another source said: “He isn’t liked in Christchurch and is not flavour of the month in Poole. He’s very ambitious but he plays his cards too close to his chest for many people. He’s too secretive.”

Last year 10 Tory councillors signed a letter of complaint about Cllr Beesley.

He is currently under investigation by the police over allegations relating to his private business interests as a hotel, hospitality and development consultant. The inquiry began after he was alleged to have ousted the chief executive Tony Williams a year ago amid claims Mr Williams was investigating Cllr Beesley’s business affairs.

Broadstone Liberal Democrat councillor Vikki Slade said: “I would be prepared to back someone from another council if it weren’t Cllr Beesley. It needs to be someone who wasn’t part of the original plan.

“I think there are factions in all councils so finding someone uniting will be hard. It should be the decision of all of us, not the new executive.”

Another Poole Lib Dem, Cllr Philip Eades, said he wouldn’t support any Conservative. “I’m sceptical of that claim, if Cllr Beesley doesn’t have the support then I can’t see how he can be leader in Bournemouth now. He has been driving this whole merger process, and (Poole leader) Cllr Janet Walton dragged the Tories here along. She is to blame as there is no way the Government would have approved the plan without Poole.” Cllr Beesley said it was “far too early to speculate” on the leadership of the authority. “It will be a matter for the new council to determine following the local elections taking place in May 2019.”