BOURNEMOUTH council’s top legal officer – whose position was last year described as “untenable” by the leader – has now been removed from her post.

Joy Postings, the service director for law and governance, is on “long-term leave” from the council with her bosses refusing to comment on the matter.

The decision to remove her from the town hall follows an investigation into her actions during a 15-month investigation and hearing into the conduct of Cllr John Beesley, then its deputy leader and now leader.

Cllr Beesley faced allegations that he had failed to declare a prejudicial interest in planning applications handled by consultant Tony Ramsden, a friend and former colleague on the council.

He was cleared of any wrongdoing after he managed to produce evidence to contradict Ms Postings’ version of events.

She had said she was not fully aware of the extent of their friendship when she advised Cllr Beesley that he only had to declare a personal, rather than prejudicial, interest in applications involving Mr Ramsden.

But Judge Chris Hughes rejected this version of events and said Ms Postings had advised Cllr Beesley with “full knowledge of the relevant facts.”

Following the verdict, Cllr Beesley told the Daily Echo he was “surprised” Ms Postings had not included the crucial emails in the bundle and said it was a “very serious matter” that would need investigating.

“As my barrister said on the day, her position was then and is now untenable,” he said at the time.

Another senior council officer, chief accountant Stephen Parker, also remains on paid leave, almost six months after he was suspended for voicing concerns about the outsourcing deal with Mouchel.

Chief executive Tony Williams said in a statement: “We will not be commenting on this matter as individual council employees, just like any private or public sector staff, have a reasonable expectation that personnel matters in which they may be involved will not be placed in the public domain.”