Cornwall Council is to commission an independent inquiry into the handling of the claims a leading councillor was a "serious and enduring risk to children", it is reported.

Councillor Alex Folkes has accused the chief executive of Cornwall Council of trying to force him out, after being ordered to “resign with immediate effect or be removed” from the council, saying an investigation following his arrest over indecent images of children in 2006 established his innocence.

Claiming that anonymous letters and emails have been sent to the press and to opposition councillors as part of a "concerted campaign," he added that police did not bring any charges and that he is determined to prove his innocence.

The Director of Education, Health and Social Care at the authority has written to schools and children’s settings in the Launceston area to alert them to a “potential risk posed by Councillor Folkes.”

Alex Folkes said: "I cautiously welcome this acceptance by the council that there are significant question marks over the process they have followed.

"The inquiry will be able to review the process by which decisions were taken behind closed doors and judgments reached without my having the chance to read and respond to the allegations against me. Indeed, I have still only received a list of claims and no actual evidence from the council that could lead them to reach the conclusions they have.

"I am told the inquiry will also look into the decision to make accusations against me in letters to local schools and sports clubs, and the decision by the council to press release this. I hope that it will also cover data protection issues.

"I fully expect to be given the chance to have my say to this inquiry and look forward to doing so."

Cornwall Council has not responded to questions about plans for an independent inquiry.