A COUNCIL leader last night said she was confident she would be cleared by an investigation into her alleged misconduct.

Government watchdog the Standards Board is looking into complaints against Linda Ebbatson, leader of Chester-le-Street District Council, in County Durham.

If the allegations are proved to be true, she could be suspended from office for up to five years.

Coun Ebbatson, elected leader of the authority's ruling Labour group in May last year, said she had nothing to fear from the inquiry.

She said: "There are rules and regulations governing these investigations and it is inappropriate for me to comment on the details.

"I have done nothing wrong and am absolutely confident that I will be vindicated by the Standards Board."

The board investigates allegations of breaches of the councillors' code of conduct but cannot reveal exact details during an inquiry.

A spokeswoman last night confirmed that its Ethical Standards officers were looking into three complaints.

It is alleged that Coun Ebbatson brought her office, or the authority, into disrepute, failed to treat others with respect and showed a disregard for advice when reaching a decision.

If the board upholds any of the complaints, it can refer the case to the council's Standards Committee, which can suspend a member for up to three months.

For more serious breaches of the code of conduct, a hearing of the Adjudication Panel for England is convened.

It can suspend a member for up to one year, or disqualify them from office for up to five years.

Coun Ebbatson became the council's first woman leader last year, when she took over from Malcolm Pratt.

The complaints about her were made to the Standards Board in March and officers began their investigation later that month.

Most inquiries take no longer than six months and a decision is expected within weeks.