A BOURNEMOUTH cabinet member suspended over allegations about his conduct will resign from his post tomorrow, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Cllr Douglas Spencer has informed the proposed new leader of the council, Cllr Peter Charon, and deputy leader Cllr John Beesley that he will resign as cabinet member for housing, health and social care at midday.

The nature of the allegations against Cllr Spencer has never been revealed but a national Conservative Party investigation into his conduct is still underway.

Cllr Charon said: “He has done the honourable thing. He has stepped aside and that is the right thing to do under the circumstances.”

Cllr Charon broke the news in a comment on the Daily Echo website claiming that those who wish to see changes in the cabinet “will not be disappointed”.

He said he hopes he will be confirmed as leader of the council at a meeting on Monday and, if so, “I will be in a position to announce the make-up of the new cabinet. Those of you who are expecting some new faces will not be disappointed.”

Cllr Spencer is understood to have pledged his support to his Conservative colleagues in his role as councillor for Winton East. He declined to comment on his decision.

The resignation is the latest in a string of embarrassing incidents within the Conservative party in Bournemouth.

Former leader Cllr Stephen MacLoughlin still faces a public hearing over pornographic material accessed from his council laptop.

Cllr Richard Powell issued an apology and is undertaking diversity training after forwarded racist texts.

And Cllr Beesley has faced a lengthy standards board investigation over his relationship with a planning consultant. A report is still awaited.