A COUNCIL has admitted suspending a second member of staff employed by its youth engagement service.

Durham County Council has faced serious questions over the suspension on full pay of the service's head, Christina Blythe, who earns about £70,000 a year.

Mrs Blythe was suspended after unspecified allegations were made against her and has yet to return to work.

Last night, council chiefs admitted a second senior member of staff working for the service, whose remit it is to tackle youth crime, had also been suspended.

The council refused to name the person, who is now back at work.

However, The Northern Echo understands he is a youth offending team manager who is also a former senior probation officer.

Kim Jobson, the county council's head of human resources, said: "The council's policy is not to discuss individual cases.

"However, we can confirm that a member of staff from the service was suspended last year, without prejudice, while inquiries were carried out.

"Once those inquiries were complete, the member of staff returned to work and has been back at work for some months."

A spokeswoman for the authority said there was "no connection" when asked if the two suspensions were linked.

Last month, the county council said it was anxious to resolve Mrs Blythe's case, which has lasted for several months.

It said it hoped an investigation into what were described as "very complex and serious issues" would be completed shortly.

The authority has been accused of wasting tax payers money in its handling of the affair.

The Youth Engagement Service was formerly the Youth Offending Service and employs about 150 staff in County Durham.

It works with the police, the Probation Service, courts, health services and local councils and helps young offenders and victims of crime. Young offenders who enter the criminal justice system are encouraged to make amends to their victim or the community, and also offered opportunities to use their leisure time more constructively.