A SENIOR member of Bournemouth council has been suspended from the Conservative Party amid a high-level investigation into his conduct.

Cabinet member Cllr Douglas Spencer is the second Tory councillor in just over a week to face an inquiry into his behaviour.

Cllr Spencer, who also chairs Bournemouth West Conservative Association, is the fourth member of the current administration who now has an investigation hanging over him.

Last week, Cllr Richard Powell was referred to the council’s standards board after the Daily Echo revealed that he had forwarded racist jokes via text messages on his mobile phone.

Cllr Spencer’s suspension was confirmed in a statement from council leader Cllr Stephen MacLoughlin, who himself faces a standards board hearing today after adult websites were viewed on his council laptop.

He said: “I confirm that Cllr Douglas Spencer has been suspended from the Conservative Party by Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) pending an investigation into his conduct.

“Details of the matter being investigated have not been released.”

Cllr Spencer, who has represented Winton East since a by-election in 2008, has been at a housing conference in Harrogate and has not been contactable for comment.

Cllr MacLoughlin’s statement said any disciplinary action against Cllrs Powell and Spencer would be decided by the Conservative group on the council.

“In addition, Cllr Spencer, who holds the cabinet portfolio for housing, health and social care, could face dismissal from the cabinet,” he added.

Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns said yesterday: “Whatever investigations are going on, I hope they get on with them quickly so we can get back to our focus of trying to serve the people of Bournemouth.”

The leader of the council’s Liberal Democrat group, Cllr Claire Smith, said: “It does call into question the whole integrity of the council at the moment that there seem to be so many people under investigation.

“The reputation of Bournemouth council is now so low that we’ve got to have completely open and transparent investigations into these allegations so that the public can start to rebuild their trust in us.”

Independent group leader Cllr Anne Rey said it was the first time she could remember the national Conservative Party stepping in to deal with a member of the council.

She said it was wrong that, unlike Cllr Spencer, the leader of the council had held onto his post while complaints were being investigated.

“I don’t think Cllr MacLoughlin has the right to discipline anybody,” she said.

Councillors under investigation

Cllr Stephen MacLoughlin (Con, Central ward) – leader of the council

Faces complaints to the standards board after adult websites were accessed from his council laptop. He apologised for the episode.

Cllr John Beesley (Con, Westbourne and West Cliff) – deputy leader, chairman of planning.

Faces a complaint to the standards board that he allowed a potential conflict of interest over his friendship with planning consultant Tony Ramsden. He denies any impropriety.

Cllr Richard Powell (Con, Westbourne and West Cliff) – former campaign manager for Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns.

Is currently the subject of a complaint to the standards board after he admitted forwarding racist text messages from his personal phone.

Cllr Douglas Spencer (Con, Winton East) – cabinet member for housing, health and social care; chairman, Bournemouth West Conservative Association

Suspended by the national party pending an investigation into unspecified allegations.