CONFUSION reigns on Bournemouth council after it appeared the Conservative Party was refusing to recognise the Tory councillor taking up the post of acting leader.

In accordance with the council’s constitution, deputy leader John Beesley became acting leader following Cllr Stephen MacLoughlin’s resignation.

But the Conservative Party later released a statement saying the post of leader was vacant and that Cllr Beesley would not “assume the responsibilities of leader”.

Cllr MacLoughlin’s resignation came after it emerged he could face a public hearing into the use of his council laptop to access adult websites.

Cllr Beesley is also the subject of a standards board investigation after an opposition councillor queried his friendship with a planning consultant.

But unless he chooses to resign, he will remain acting leader of the council until July 27, when the full council will appoint a successor.

Many Tory councillors thought former leader Cllr Bob Chapman would be stepping in as acting leader and were surprised that the role had gone automatically to Cllr Beesley.

One said: “There is a strong feeling that everybody who is under investigation needs to step aside until the investigations are concluded.”

But another said: “I’m happy for him to be temporary leader – that’s what the constitution states and we should go along with that. But for a permanent leader, I’m not sure.”

A statement from Judie Jamieson, the party’s campaign director for the South West, said: “Following the resignation of Stephen MacLoughlin we can confirm that the position of council leader remains vacant, pending an election on July 9. John Beesley remains deputy leader but will not assume the responsibilities of the council leader.”

But veteran Independent councillor Ron Whittaker said: “John Beesley is deputy leader and so, in the absence of the leader, he is acting leader.

“That’s straightforward, that’s our constitution and it’s not down to Conservative Central Office to dictate how we operate here.”

Cllr Beesley had not returned from holiday in time to attend Thursday’s group meeting at which Cllr MacLoughlin resigned.