A WALL of silence has descended around a town council after it emerged that its most senior paid officer has been suspended from her job.

It is understood that Sue Fraser, pictured, the chief executive officer and town clerk for Northallerton, was suspended from her role three weeks ago.

An investigation is now under way into a “whistleblower” complaint which is being led by the Mayor of Northallerton, Councillor John Forrest.

Details of the suspension and the complaint have not been revealed and the town council itself is refusing to make any official comment on the situation.

However, it is believed that Mrs Fraser was suspended at least three weeks ago and her duties are now being carried out by her deputy, Kay Lambert.

At least two meetings have been held in private session – when the press and public cannot attend – to discuss the continuing investigation.

Mrs Fraser’s deputy has refused to say anything about the suspension, referring inquiries straight to the mayor.

But Cllr Forrest also refused to talk about the issue when approached by the Darlington & Stockton Times. “There is nothing I can say. I am not in a position to comment,” he said.

Mrs Fraser has been the town council’s senior officer for a number of years. She acts as their main administrator, sitting in on authority meetings, taking minutes and acting as a general adviser.

However, her relationship with some members of the council – which currently has 11 members with one ward vacant – has at times been frosty.

Other councillors have also been reluctant to comment on the issue – although they insisted that everything was “all above board”. One member pointed out: “There is a protocol you have to follow when complaints are made.”

However, others have raised concerns that the suspension – and the silence that surrounds around it – had made the council look “dysfunctional” to outside eyes.

Hambleton District Council was also unable to shed more light on the matter. “This is an issue for Northallerton Town Council – and it is therefore not appropriate for us to comment on,” said a spokesman.

Mrs Fraser was unavailable for comment.