COUNCILLOR Spencer Flower is once again the leader of East Dorset District Council.

He replaces Ian Monks, who resigned the post following an email row with Christchurch MP Chris Chope in December.

Cllr Flower was elected leader of the East Dorset Conservative group at a special meeting on Thursday night, and has automatically been named council leader as a result.

David McIntosh, chief executive of Christchurch and East Dorset Councils, said: "At a meeting of East Dorset Conservatives last night Cllr Spencer Flower was elected leader of the Conservative group.

"He now becomes the leader of East Dorset District Council with immediate effect."

Mr Monks resigned hours before plans for a 'super-council' covering south east Dorset were shot down by East Dorset councillors, who voted overwhelmingly against discussing any options on the table involving the uniting of Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and their own council - at least for now.

Cllr Flower stood down as leader of Dorset County Council in December 2014 after he was charged with failing to comply with the Localism Act 2011, in particular failing to declare pecuniary interest in Synergy Housing during a council meeting relating to the East Dorset Core Strategy document.

He was convicted of the charge at Bournemouth Magistrates' Court in March last year.

The councillor claimed his involvement with a social housing company was not relevant to a debate in 2013 over the future of housing in East Dorset.

He was given a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £930 costs, but was allowed to remain in public office.

Cllr Flower's appointment to leader will be noted at the next meeting of the full council, but will not be voted on.

He was previously leader of EDDC but stood down to take over at County Hall after the May 2013 elections.