Leicestershire CC’s embattled Conservative group has been hit with a further blow, following the decision of the deputy council leader, Cllr David Sprason, to step down, amid allegations of improper use of a council laptop five years ago.

Cllr Sprason has admitted to watching a pornographic DVD on a Leicestershire CC computer, after a confidential letter, sent by Elizabeth McCalla, a former council monitoring officer, was leaked to local newspaper the Leicester Mercury.

According to the letter, a film entitled ‘She likes it rough’ was found left in the CD drive of the machine when Cllr Sprason returned it to the county council’s IT department for repairs in 2007.

Following the discovery, IT technicians subsequently checked the laptop’s internet browsing history, but found nothing untoward. Ms McCalla also forwarded the DVD to the police, who advised that although the material contained was hardcore pornography ‘of the type you might be able to buy in this country, bur more likely to buy abroad or over the internet … no criminal offence had been committed’.

No further action by the council was taken since the film had been viewed in a private capacity by Cllr Sprason and his wife Sue – who is a councillor in nearby Hinckley and Bosworth BC.

Cllr Sprason, a regional dignity in care champion, said the DVD shouldn’t have been in the laptop and described the incident as ‘an unfortunate error of judgement.’

Leicestershire’s Conservative group whips will investigate the matter, and Cllr Byron Rhodes has been appointed deputy leader, while Cllr Dave Houseman has assumed Cllr Sprason’s cabinet member duties.

Cllr Nick Rushton, leader of Leicestershire CC welcomed the decision as being right both for Sprason and in the interests of the council’s reputation.

‘I have made it clear in recent times that the Conservative group needs to be seen to be acting in accordance with the highest standards of conduct,’ Cllr Rushton said.

‘I find it particularly disappointing that my predecessor (David Parsons) as leader didn't deal with this matter properly through the group rules at the time,’ he added.