A CHARD politician is unhappy after being expelled from the Liberal Democrat group at Somer-set County Council.

Cllr Paul Buchanan, who represents Chard North at County Hall, was notified on December 5 that his membership of the LibDem group had been withdrawn.

He wrote a letter to the News this week saying it was with regret' that he had officially been notified of his exclusion from the group on December 5.

Leader of the council, Cllr Jill Shortland, who is also a Chard county councillor, said: "It is with great sadness that Paul has gone through the press rather than the appeals process about this but it is true that he has been expelled from the group."

Cllr Shortland said the decision was taken by herself, deputy leader Cllr Justin Robinson and group chairman Cllr Henry Hobhouse, and that it had been verified by the large majority' of group members.

Cllr Buchanan was in the headlines in May after he claimed that allegations he breached a code of conduct had ruined his chances of leading the county council.

The allegations concern three sections of the 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.

Allegations made by a council employee against Cllr Buchanan had been referred to the Standards Board for England for investigation.

Clare Thompson of the Standards Board said yesterday: "This investigation that was referred to us on April 18 is still on-going so I cannot provide you with any further information at this stage.

"We will confirm the outcome of an investigation three working days after the final report has been issued. This policy ensures that the relevant parties are notified first."

A spokesman for Somerset County Council said: "Cllr Paul Buchanan remains an elected member of this council but the Liberal Dem-ocrat group has informed us he is no longer a member of their group."