A parliamentary candidate has called for a end to an investigation of a council boss accused of bullying staff.

Chris Berry, Prospective Parliamentary candidate for Eastbourne, said today that many of the town's council officials had become frustrated over the ongoing case of chief executive Sari Conway.

Mrs Conway has been suspended on full pay since February following allegations of bullying by senior council staff.

The suspension was extended in April and referred to an independent Government inspector.

No timescale has been given for the investigation and councillors have been told not to comment on the matter.

Mr Berry said: "I think everyone would welcome an end to this investigation, but there is a process here.

"This is a very unusual situation and it was a cross-party decision that the matter should be handled this way."

Since Mrs Conway's suspension, the borough council has continued to function without a chief executive leading to speculation over the post.

Mr Berry said: "The main thing is that morale at the town hall is now back to a suitable level and all the departments are working very well. There has been a real change of attitude.

"This has led to the question of whether a council the size of Eastbourne's really needs a chief executive."

Mrs Conway became the council's first woman chief executive in 1995, earning around £72,000 per year.

She went on to adopt a high-profile approach to the job and was regularly seen at civic functions, photocalls and events. Last year she and her husband appeared on BBC television's Changing Rooms when they helped renovate Belle Tout lighthouse at Beachy Head.

Six years ago Mrs Conway received a £250,000 payout from Bradford City Council after claiming she herself had been harrassed by her bosses.

She then held a new position as interim chief executive at Lambeth Council before taking up her post in Eastbourne.

The Argus understands Mrs Conway will turn 50 next year and could claim a pension from the council if the current inquiry is ongoing. She has refused to comment on the allegations or her suspension.