A SENIOR town hall officer in the housing department has been suspended.

Slough Borough Council has launched an investigation following allegations the officer breached the officer code of conduct.

A council spokeswoman told The Observer: "An investigation into the matter has begun.

"Suspension is a neutral act and is primarily to enable an investigation to take place.

"We are unable to discuss details of the allegations as this could prejudice the investigation."

The Observer reported last month an independent review has been launched into the council's housing department.

Council chiefs have called in employment experts South East Employers to meet with councillors, staff and union representatives after a 'difficult time’ for the department.

It is believed the report has been finalised, but will not be for public consumption.

Instead an executive summary of the report will be released.

It followed three staff leaving their posts following a separate investigation into abuse of housing stock management.

The Observer revealed five staff were suspended amid an internal probe into concerns over abuse of the management of housing stock last year. One officer left before the outcome of the probe in April, with two given final warnings. The Observer has since been told another two staff have had their employment terminated.