A SENIOR Tory councillor has been sacked from his cabinet post after he failed to turn up at a crunch meeting with his bosses to discuss allegations of neglecting his constituents.

Councillor for Huncoat Douglas Deakin had been accused of not being available for his constituents for months after allegedly moving out of the borough from an address in Water Street, Accrington, to Morecambe.

It is understood the cabinet member for IT and e-government had agreed to give a full explanation to the allegations at a meeting with Council leader Peter Britcliffe and his deputy Coun Jim Dickinson.

But when the councillor failed to turn up at yesterday's meeting, Mr Britcliffe made the decision to relieve him of his duties and call for him to step down as a councillor.

Mr Deakin's cabinet position will not be replaced, with a reduction in cabinet members from nine to eight, and the creation of working group to take over his duties.

Mr Britcliffe said: "We made numerous attempts to contact Mr Deakin when he didn't arrive as arranged at noon so we had no option but to remove him from his Cabinet portfolio.

"We do know the councillor has been facing difficulties of a personal nature and over the last few weeks there have been stories relating to a court case and a credit company ."

"We also suggested to him in a letter it was appropriate in the present circumstances he should resign as a councillor.

"He has been an excellent and popular councillor and I wish him and his family all the best in resolving his problems."

Leader of the Labour Group, Ian Ormerod, expressed sorrow that a fellow elected member was experiencing personal difficulties.

But he said: "We know residents have been experiencing problems getting hold of him for the last few months so he should do the honourable thing and stand down.

"But Mr Britcliffe's reduction in cabinet numbers is strange. I would have thought that e-government warrants a cabinet post, especially as Hyndburn is charged with spending £250,000 of central Government money on IT over the next five years."

And e-government spokesman for Labour, Tim O'Kane said: "We have had very little input from Mr Deakin at the IT revue meetings, which have been held monthly since February.

"So if someone is not performing their tasks then it is inevitable he should go."

Mr Deakin could not be contacted but a couple who answered the door at his previous address in Water Street said he had moved to Morecambe nine months ago.