A BLAENAU Gwent councillor says he will fight allegations currently being investigated by his employer, Torfaen council.

Cllr David Rocke, who represents Cwmtillery ward, told the Argus he has been suspended on full pay from his job at the IT department of Torfaen council since October 25 while the allegations of misconduct are investigated.

Cllr Rocke says the allegations relate to a verbal clash with a member of Gwent Police civilian staff in the course of his work at the Shared Resource Service, jointly run by Torfaen and Monmouthshire councils and Gwent Police.

Cllr Rocke told the Argus he has also made counter-allegations against two Gwent Police employees.

He hit out at the time being taken to investigate the matter, which was reported in the Argus on February 20.

“It is very frustrating for me - and costly to Torfaen council taxpayers,” he said.

Cllr Rocke says that he has the full backing of his union and added that although the matter does not affect his role as a Blaenau Gwent councillor he believes that the public have a right to be able to see that their representatives are, and remain, beyond reproach.

He added: “As such I will update my constituents and the Argus on the outcome.”