BOURNEMOUTH Conservatives group leader John Beesley has been ousted after a leadership challenge on Tuesday night.

Mr Beesley, who is a councillor for Westbourne in the new BCP Council, has been defeated by Cllr Bob Lawton who, the Echo understands, won the support of 22 of the 36 members of the Conservative group.

He won by 19 votes to 17, according to Conservative party sources. 

The move comes just four days after disappointing election results for Conservatives in BCP Council, in which they were left three seats short of a majority.

The Echo understands that Cllr Lawton, who had served as cabinet member for housing on the former Bournemouth council, told colleagues at the private meeting that they needed a fresh start and new leadership, and it was time for Cllr Beesley to stand down.

Cllr Beesley was the leader of Bournemouth council for seven years until it was abolished at the end of last month to form part of the BCP unitary.

He was one of the architects of the merger of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, and all four of the original proposers of the scheme have now gone, including Ray Nottage and Janet Walton, who both lost their seats last Thursday.

Cllr Beesley has been a hugely divisive figure in the last few years, not least because of both the criminal and independent inquiries into his business interests and his conduct on Bournemouth council.

He was cleared in both cases.

Cllr Lawton, who was re-elected in West Southbourne last week, said he plans to operate a "more inclusive and transparent group".

At the moment, it is unclear how Cllr Lawton's election as leader will change the dynamics of rival bids to put an administration together for the new BCP Council.

Talbot and Branksome Woods councillor Philip Broadhead has been elected deputy leader of the group, defeating Cllr Mark Anderson.

Councillor Lawton said: “I am honoured to be elected as the Group Leader. It will be a very challenging time ahead but I am optimistic that we have strong team in place and that we will face these challenges and work to deliver a successful Council.”

Councillor Broadhead added: “We are committed to looking after the most vulnerable in our society and providing opportunities for all. We look forward to building a new world class Council to match the world class area that we are fortunate enough to call home.”