A SOMERSET county councillor has been expelled from his own political group for alleged inappropriate behaviour.

Cllr Paul Buchanan, who was deputy leader of the council until May, has had his membership of the authority's LibDem group revoked.

In a letter to the County Gazette, Cllr Buchanan claimed he had been forced out because county council leader Jill Shortland saw him as a political threat.

But Cllr Shortland told the County Gazette: "It was not just my decision. It was taken by three people at a group meeting with the backing of a large majority of the people present.

"And any leadership challenge was dealt with when I was elected leader in May."

She added: "There has been a series of inappropriate behaviour issues from Paul Buchanan since June 2006."

Cllr Buchanan said the claims of inappropriate behaviour were untrue and he said he would fight to win back his place in the LibDem group.

He also said he remained committed to the people of Chard North, the electoral division he still represents.

The Standards Board for England, a local government watchdog, confirmed this week that it is still investigating an allegation made against Cllr Buchanan by a council employee in April.

The allegations concern three sections of the county council's code of conduct that state a member must treat others with respect, must not bring his office or authority into disrepute, and must not use his position improperly to secure an advantage or disadvantage for himself or others.