A council leader said he is glad a ‘vindictive and personal campaign’ is over - as it is announced he will not face criminal action over alleged ‘improper conduct’.

Leader of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, Jeff Cant was placed under investigation after participating in the controversial vote to close the toilets in Bond Street in September 2016 .

Cllr Cant is a director of a company which owns two properties neighbouring the former toilets.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said yesterday the investigation had concluded and following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), no further action would be taken.

Cllr Cant told the Echo: “I feel this has been a personal and vindictive campaign putting considerable pressure on me during my term of office.

“What is upsetting is these accusations were made when I only ever had the best interests for the community and its residents in mind.”

“This has gone on for a awfully long time,” he said. “It has been over a year since it was first raised. When something like this hangs over you with potential court appearances, scrutiny and even jail time - it has been incredibly stressful.”

Cllr Cant is director of Silversurfing Limited, a company which owns two buildings adjacent to the former toilet site on the corner of Bond Street and the Esplanade.

Rules outlined in the Localism Act of 2011 state councillors must declare pecuniary interests upon becoming a council member and cannot vote on matters declared of interest in council meetings unless granted an exemption.

In June 2016 Cllr Cant made a declaration of interest for the properties, 14 and 15 Bond Street.

However, he voted to close the public toilets at a management meeting on September 20, 2016.

The toilet building sold to a couple from Buckinghamshire for £282,000 in August 2017.

Cllr Cant has always vehemently denied any wrongdoing and said he had sought and followed advice by senior council officials.

"There was never any doubt about my integrity and the decision by the CPS confirms that,” Cllr Cant said.

Matt Prosser, chief executive of WPBC, said the council had ‘robust procedures’ in place to look into code of conduct complaints.

“The council has co-operated fully with the police at every stage and the proper process has been followed.

“Following a lengthy and independent enquiry the CPS has now decided that there is no case to answer. Our actions show that we take complaints very seriously and we will continue to do so,” he said.