STEPHEN MacLoughlin survived a three-and-a-half hour meeting to continue as Bournemouth council leader last night.

He faced his conservative colleagues for the first time since the Daily Echo revealed pornography was found on his council laptop computer.

There was detailed questioning of his actions but it is understood he left the meeting at the town hall with unanimous backing after making commitments to party colleagues.

One councillor described the usually confident Mr MacLoughlin as appearing “humble” as he faced the questions.

Deputy leader Cllr John Beesley chaired the meeting and said: “It was a long and detailed debate on many issues as you would expect. I can’t give any more details of what was agreed at the moment.

“It was a good example of Conservatives wanting to be fair and reflective, and most of all proportionate, and I think we have achieved that.”

Cllr Nick King said: “It was a sombre, serious meeting. It involved questioning of Cllr MacLoughlin, then a long debate without him in the room.”

Cllr MacLoughlin may still face punishment for his actions by the standards board.

A sub-committee of councillors will decide tomorrow whether to investigate further, after receiving complaints from angry councillors.

Standards chief, Roy Wardle, has already hit out at the way in which the original investigation into Cllr Stephen MacLoughlin’s conduct was handled privately by senior council officers.

Mr Wardle said: “As Cllr MacLoughlin holds the position of council leader and given the nature of the reported unauthorised and inappropriate use by him of his council laptop, I regard it as very regrettable that the matter was not referred to the standards committee as soon as it came to light.”

He added: “The public reaction to press coverage appears to be that Cllr MacLoughlin has been let off lightly by the council.”