MAIDSTONE Borough Council has suspended its director of finance and housing, Bryan Cunningham, following an allegation of misconduct during his role as Harrietsham parish councillor.

Mr Cunningham has already been investigated by the Standards Board for England after it was alleged that he failed to declare in interest in a development proposal at Harrietsham.

An ethical standards officer decided that this allegation should be referred to the president of the Adjudication Panel for England and a tribunal hearing is due to be held on September 5.

Now an independent investigation is to be carried out by Maidstone council to establish how Mr Cunningham’s alleged conduct as a parish councillor might affect his employment with the borough council.

Mr Cunningham denies the allegations. He has been suspended on full pay and corporate finance manager Derek Williamson will serve as the council's chief financial officer in his absence.