THE Crown Prosecution Service says it has not made a "charging decision" over allegations against Bournemouth council leader John Beesley as it has not been asked to do so by Dorset Police.

As previously revealed in the Echo, the CPS received the police file on the inquiry earlier this year, but until now it has not formally confirmed its involvement.

Conservative Cllr Beesley is apparently being investigated over allegations that he breached the council's code of conduct, and over alleged misconduct.

A spokesman said: "We are working with the police, providing investigative advice to them as and when requested.

"We have not yet been asked to make a charging decision as the police investigation is still continuing."

Sources say the case has been brought to the attention of the Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders, with whom potential immunity from prosecution for a witness has been discussed.

The investigation has now been under way for some 16 months, and Dorset Police is understood to have three officers working on it full time.

Senior Conservative Party figures are understood to be concerned that the inquiry will continue over the period of campaigning for elections for the new unitary Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council next year, and may cast a shadow over the party.

The Bournemouth West Conservative Association is already seeking potential candidates for the 76 council seats which are, at present, envisaged for the new authority.

A circular email from Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns states: "With some councillors retiring next May, local Conservatives are always looking for new candidates who want to serve.

"If you feel you might have the energy and want to give something back to your community we want to hear from you."

The allegations first surfaced in a complaint made by 10 Conservative councillors, which claimed Cllr Beesley had breached the code of conduct and failed to properly make declarations of pecuniary interest as required by the Localism Act 2011.

The councillors are understood to have expressed concerns about the degree to which Cllr Beesley, who is self-employed as 'Hospitality Solutions', had disclosed his business interests as a hospitality consultant.

The complaint was passed to the borough's monitoring officer and then referred to Dorset Police. The council says it still intends to conduct its own investigation at the conclusion of any criminal proceedings.

Cllr Beesley has denied the allegation, stating that he has followed the advice of the council’s legal department regarding disclosure of interests.

He has also declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.