A CALDICOT councillor has been suspended for four months following an investigation into comments he made about a council officer.

Tony Easson, the Monmouthshire county councillor for the Dewstow ward, was investigated by the Public Ombudsman for Wales after a complaint was made that he gave a member of the public information about the private life of Mr John Sterry, the manager of Caldicot Castle and the Old Station at Tintern.

The suspension was imposed by Monmouthshire Council's independent standards committee after it considered the Ombudsman's report, and means Cllr Easson will not be able to work on behalf of constituents or draw his councillor's allowance.

In 2010 Cllr Easson – whose wife works at the castle – was told by a former employee of Tintern Old Station, Mrs Pat Kedward, that she felt she had been bullied and intimidated by Mr Sterry.

Cllr Easson later approached Mr Mike Rice asking if he could help "dig some dirt" on Mr Sterry.

Mr Rice told the Ombusdman he did not contact Cllr Easson with information because he did not have any to provide and he did not feel it was any of his business.

Mr Rice later wrote a letter of complaint to Kellie Beirne, the council's chief officer for regeneration and culture.

Cllr Easson was later told by two senior council officials that the matter had been appropriately investigated and there was no evidence of bullying.

There were also concerns that Cllr Easson was "inappropriately" asking questions about day-to-day management issues such as why old-style crochet table cloths had been replaced with plastic covers.

Mr Sterry said he considered the allegations had called his professionalism into question although he has never been subject to disciplinary action in work.

Cllr Easson accepted the findings of the report and apologised "for the breaches of the code of conduct as set out in the report and the impact it had upon Mr Sterry."

He had raised concerns about the allegations made by Mrs Kedward but accepted the way he raised his worries with individuals and officers was "unfortunate and inappropriate".

By continuing to raise matters after receiving assurances, Cllr Easson "behaved in an unreasonably persistent manner," the Ombudsman concluded.

A spokesman for the council said: "Cllr Easson will receive formal notice of the decision of the suspension by the end of this week. Subject to appeal, the suspension will come into effect 21 days thereafter.

"During the period of suspension, Cllr Easson will effectively cease to be a councillor. He will not be able to attend meetings, conduct casework or draw his salary.

"Although no arrangements have yet been made, it would be normal practice for ward casework and other matters to be conducted by a neighbouring ward member."