A BY-ELECTION is to be held after a councillor announced his resignation in an open letter - with a blistering attack on the Tory leadership at Dorset Council.

Dorset Council has confirmed that following the resignation of Lyme and Charmouth ward councillor, Daryl Turner, it has received the required signatories to call an election to replace him.

The election process is to start today (Thursday, March 3) when a Notice of Election is published by the council, with an election for the ward due to take place on Thursday, April 7.

Nominations for candidates for the Lyme and Charmouth ward are to close on Friday, March 11 at 4pm.

Mr Turner, who had represented the ward as a Conservative, was elected following elections in May 2019. He had previously served on both Dorset County Council and West Dorset District Council and had important roles on the authorities.

The news of his resignation was revealed in an open letter which he published on Friday, February 11, in which he cited a number of reasons for his departure, including the council's decision to again increase council tax, as well his move from Lyme Regis to Wales.

He also made reference to alleged remarks at a meeting last year that he said were made by council leader, Cllr Spencer Flower. He claimed Cllr Flower, unknowingly left his microphone on during a break of a full council meeting and made a remark.

Cllr Turner claims it was said by the leader that Cllr Turner would not be selected as a Conservative councillor again.

He had made a formal complaint against Cllr Flower, following the alleged remark, however the complaint was not pursued.

Cllr Flower was said to have had no recollection of making the remark complained about but apologised to Mr Turner.

Jonathan Mair, Corporate Director – Legal and Democratic who is also the Council’s statutory Monitoring Officer confirmed that he received a complaint from Mr Turner regarding remarks made by Cllr Flower and said that in line with advice he had received from an independent person he was satisfied that no further action was needed.

More details about the election are to be published on the Dorset Council website today (Thursday, March 3).