Blackpool Council boss quits amid probe into Facebook post

A deputy council leader under investigation by the Labour Party over an allegedly inappropriate Facebook post has temporarily stood down.

Graham Cain, who is in charge of children's services at Blackpool Council, was suspended by the party after complaints over the posts.

Management of the department was described as "weak" in a damning Ofsted report in December 2018.

Mr Cain said the probe was "extremely distracting" so he was stepping down.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported in January that Mr Cain was suspended pending an investigation.

It is understood that Labour members complained about the Facebook post which allegedly mocked a senior figure in the party.

The council announced on Friday plans to spend an extra £14m on Blackpool's children's services following the inspection which said some children were living in "chronic neglect".

Mr Cain said: "Given the importance of the improvement journey we are on with children's services, [the investigation] is extremely distracting.

"I feel it would be best for the service that I offer to temporarily step down until a conclusion is reached."

Council leader Simon Blackburn said he had accepted Mr Cain's decision and agreed it was the "best thing to do at this point in time".

"I await the conclusion of the procedure, which I trust will be swiftly concluded," he added.

In the meantime Mr Cain's positions will be filled by councillor Lynn Williams, who was previously responsible for health at the authority.

Mr Blackburn said she had a "wealth of experience in social care" and children's services remained an "upmost priority".

The Labour Party declined to comment on the investigation into Mr Cain, but a spokeswoman said the party "takes all complaints extremely seriously"

She added: "They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken."