A council clerk has been suspended while allegations concerning his "conduct of council business" are investigated.

Paul Archer, clerk of Newhaven Town Council, is suspended on full pay after a unanimous decision by the finance and general purposes committee. Members raised concerns which will now be fully investigated by a independent consultant.

The consultant will prepare a report which the council will consider before deciding whether to take any further action.

Coun Pat Ost, a member of the committee, said: "He is on suspension with full pay and at the end of the investigation there will be a review of the situation.

"The committee were unhappy and raised some issues.

"We thought the proper thing was to suspend the clerk while the concerns were investigated.

"It is to do with conduct of council business.

"It is a staff matter and as a council we will not even be discussing it amongst ourselves as we do not want to prejudice the outcome."