A FEMALE councillor who joked about the strangeness of having male bosses has now joined the cabinet.

Only on Monday, the Daily Echo revealed that Bournemouth borough councillor Beverley Dunlop had said it was odd to be reporting to an all-male cabinet because she has found men unreliable.

Cllr Dunlop, who is a management consultant and used to work as a strategic programme manager, said: "In my business I couldn't risk employing a man to lead a programme because it simply wouldn't get done properly."

Now she has been appointed to the cabinet to take over the economy and tourism brief because Cllr Michael Filer has stepped down to spend more time supporting his wife, the mayor.

She was appointed by leader of the Council Stephen MacLough-lin who said he believes her previous comments were "tongue-in-cheek" and will not affect her ability to do a good job.

"Cllr Dunlop's comments have no bearing," he told the Daily Echo.

"I am delighted that she has accepted the invitation to join the cabinet in the very important area of economy and tourism.

"I am sure she is the right person to rise to these opportunities and make the most of them - she has been appointed on her merits."

Cllr Dunlop said that she did not think the fact there was now a woman on the cabinet would make any difference to how it operates.

She said she was passionate about the town and was both surprised and pleased to be given the cabinet post: "It is a huge portfolio and it is very important because it is the outward face of Bournemouth."

She pledged to "put the sparkle back into Bournemouth".

She added that creating family attractions for the resort were high on the agenda but that she had no specific plans at the moment apart from to get to know the portfolio.

Outgoing cabinet member Cllr Michael Filer said: "For the last few months I have been doing two jobs as a cabinet member and as the mayor's consort. I really enjoy them both but my first loyalty is to my wife.

"I remember from my time as being mayor that you do need a consort and as a cabinet member I was not able to do as much as I wanted or felt necessary.

"Cllr Dunlop is young and bright and very keen. She deserves to be on the cabinet."

He added that the mayor, Cllr Anne Filer, was "really pleased with his decision".