THE Conservative councillor who quit his post as Bournemouth’s planning chairman should not have had to resign, say two of his political opponents.

Cllr John Beesley, deputy leader of Bournemouth council, succumbed to pressure to resign from the borough’s planning board earlier this week.

But his Independent vice-chairman and his Liberal Democrat predecessor have both given him their backing.

A standards board investigation has been running for months into a Lib Dem councillor’s claims that Cllr Beesley did not properly declare an interest as the friend of a planning consultant.

The resignation last week of council leader Cllr Stephen MacLoughlin – who faced a public hearing over adult websites accessed on his council laptop – as well as investigations into two other councillors led to mounting pressure on Cllr Beesley to stand down. Bournemouth East’s Tory MP Tobias Ellwood was among those calling for him to quit.

Cllr Ron Whittaker, Independent vice-chairman of the planning board, told the Daily Echo he had tried to persuade Cllr Beesley not to stand down.

“From my personal perspective, the chairmanship of planning is a poisoned chalice,” he said.

“When you’re chairman you make no friends, I know that. But I do know of the tremendous work he does and the background knowledge that John Beesley holds. He’s a very genuine and dedicated member of the planning board.

“He’s got a great grasp of planning issues. That’s what you need as chairman, otherwise applicants and developers will ride roughshod over you.”

Ken Mantock, who chaired the planning board when he was a Lib Dem councillor, still deals with planners in his role with Bournemouth Civic society.

“In all the time I’ve worked alongside John, I’ve got no doubt he’s totally honest, totally hard-working and totally professional.

“For him to resign is a personal tragedy but more importantly, I think it’s a real shame for the whole shape of planning in Bournemouth,” he said.

He said Tobias Ellwood would be “better off” asking why the investigation into Cllr Beesley was going on so long.

“It’s taken something like nine months and in the spirit of natural justice, it’s just not right,” he added.