THE leader of Christchurch council should be suspended from his role while an investigation into claims of assault is carried out, a councillor has said.

The Echo understands leader of the Independents, Cllr Colin Bungey, has called for Cllr Ray Nottage to stand down from his duties representing the council while the police investigation into the alleged incident takes place.

As previously reported, last year's Mayor, Cllr Fred Neale claims Cllr Nottage repeatedly swore and pushed him by the shoulder after Tuesday's heated council meeting.

Independent Cllr Neale has made a formal complaint to the council's monitoring officer.

He also reported the matter to the police who took a statement from him on Friday.

A Dorset police spokesman confirmed that an allegation of assault, causing no injury, had been lodged following an incident in the members' room at the Civic Offices last Tuesday evening and they would be investigating.

Cllr Colin Bungey has already written to chief executive, David McIntosh, demanding an internal inquiry into the incident.

Cllr Nottage confirmed that he had used an expletive but denies anything else happened. He was "working with officers who are investigating the complaint."

A council spokesperson said: "The Council will await the outcome of the police investigation before progressing its internal investigation."