BOURNEMOUTH council leader Peter Charon has provoked an outcry in his own group by sacking a cabinet colleague.

Some colleagues said they were “appalled” by his decision to fire Cllr Nicola Greene after Wednesday’s cabinet meeting because she was not “completely on side”.

Cllr Charon was not yesterday available for comment.

He is currently facing two outstanding complaints from backbenchers over his style and has been urging them to back him for party unity.

Cllr Greene was appointed in 2010, before Cllr Charon became leader.

A senior Tory said: “She has been questioning some of what has been going on but not in a confrontational way.

“To lose her just increases the number of ‘yes men’ in the cabinet.”

She said in a statement: “It’s been a privilege to serve as a cabinet member for education and children’s services and to share and celebrate the achievements of young people across the town.

“I am proud of the successes of the past few years and look forward to working with my successor.

“I am saddened to have been dismissed, not least because of the consistent approval from the leader, the Conservative group, officers and the whole of the council regarding the job I have done.

“However it appears that our personal styles are too different for me to continue in his cabinet.”

Tory backbenchers were shocked by the decision.

Long serving former Conservative leader Bob Chapman was one of three councillors working in her support group.

He said: “She has been doing an excellent job and I am quite appalled.”

Cllr Blair Crawford said: “Certainly as a portfolio holder I think she has been exemplary. She was very well respected.

“I can’t comment on the reasons for the decision. Obviously with any group of people you get disagreements.”

Cllr Nick King said: “I am surprised at this decision because I think she has been very effective in her job.”

Cllr Christopher Mayne said: “I am extremely shocked by the decision.”