COMMUNITIES Secretary Eric Pickles has called on Bournemouth council to sort itself out following one of the most tumultuous periods in the local Conservative party’s history.

During a tour of the regenerated Boscombe seafront, accompanied by council officials, Mr Pickles said: “I would like it sorted as soon as.

“I’ve not looked at the details but I’ve seen this happen before. It’s always best to deal with it and move on for the folks in Bournemouth who deserve a council working effectively.”

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood has called on all councillors under investigation to stand down from front-line positions following the resignation of council leader Stephen MacLoughlin last week.

Traditionally, MPs do not involve themselves in council politics but a chaotic few weeks, which at one stage saw four councillors under official investigation, prompted Mr Ellwood to speak out.

Council leader Stephen MacLoughlin is to face a public hearing over adult images found on his council laptop, while deputy leader Cllr John Beesley is the subject of an investigation into his friendship with a local planning consultant.

But the party’s woes increased when Cllr Richard Powell admitted forwarding on racist texts from his personal mobile phone and Cllr Douglas Spencer was suddenly suspended from the Conservative Party pending an investigation into his conduct.

Cllr Powell has since agreed to undertake equality and diversity training while Conservative Central Office is still refusing to confirm the nature of the allegations made against Cllr Spencer, who was the chairman of Bournemouth West Conservative Association and is still a cabinet member.

Mr Pickles said: “It is a matter for Bournemouth council to sort out. These things are really important; people may have reasonable excuses, everybody should have the benefit of the doubt. It is really important that the council is allowed to get on with it.”