A COUNCIL director who has been suspended for nearly nine months has left the authority by mutual agreement.

Bryan Cunningham, Maidstone Borough Council's director of corporate and regulations, had been suspended on full pay since June 20 after allegations were made about his conduct as a former member of Harrietsham Parish Council.

The suspension was imposed while the council commissioned an independent investigation to decide whether the allegations could affect his employment at Maidstone council.

A confidential report by Professor Roy Lewis, a barrister specialising in employment law and labour arbitration who carried out the investigation, was due to go to an extraordinary meeting of Maidstone council tonight.

However, the council and Mr Cunningham reached an agreement last Friday to part company.

In September a hearing of the Adjudication Panel for England found that Mr Cunningham had failed to declare a prejudicial interest while taking part in a vote at Harrietsham Parish Council.

He was banned from serving as a parish councillor for three months, although he had resigned from the parish council seven months before.

In a statement council said: "Maidstone Borough Council has agreed the termination of employment of Mr Bryan Cunningham, director of corporate and regulatory services.

"The agreed termination is effective from Friday, February 13. Mr Cunningham will not be required to work his notice of three months."

As well as receiving full pay while suspended, Mr Cunningham will also be paid during the three-month notice period. His pension has not been enhanced and will not be paid early.

Members of Maidstone council will be updated on the latest development when they meet closed doors tonight to receive Prof Lewis' report and recommendations.