A SENIOR boss at a mental health charity in York has been suspended from his job over allegations of anonymous online abuse.

David Smith is director of development at The Retreat, but has had to stay away from work after Labour councillors discovered he was behind a series of highly critical online accounts and complained about inappropriate behaviour.

Cllr Dafydd Williams, the cabinet member for finance, first made the link between Mr Smith and accounts under the name Jack Hamilton, and wrote to Retreat Chief Executive Jenny McAleese last week complaining that her employee had "hidden behind a pseudonym" to "pursue a political vendetta".

The Retreat has issued a short statement confirming that a member of staff has been suspended, and said an internal investigation has been launched.

A spokesman added: "We would like to stress that this investigation does not relate to any aspects of patient care."

The Jack Hamilton accounts on Twitter, The Press website, and Freedom of Information website WhatDoTheyKnow.com have criticised Labour council policy over issues including cuts to meals served at sheltered housing, the Minster badge scheme for York residents, council finances, and the new community stadium project.

Mr Smith said his online comments were a response to his anger about some policies of the city council.

He said: "Having spent many years campaigning for better mental healthcare and services for the vulnerable in York I have been increasingly dismayed at what is happening in our city and had to find a way to speak out. I would like to thank my friends, family and colleagues for their support in recent days during this difficult time.

Mr Smith's partner Paul Doughty is a Conservative member of the council, and Cllr Williams has said that while he accepts Mr Smith's opposing political views he finds the use of pseudoym's to make the comments "appalling".

The Jack Ham Twitter account - since deleted - also made comments like "don't expect honest answers from @labouryork" and "No money for kids & old folks but always more to be found for gypsy and travellers. Good old @labouryork," called for council leader James Alexander and chief executive Kersten England to step down, and praised former Labour councillor Helen Douglas for her defection to the Conservative party.

Mr Smith said he was unable to comment further until the threat of legal action by council leader James Alexander had been resolved.

The Jack Hamilton name made Freedom of Information requests about the number of complaints made by staff about the behaviour of elected members, and about the costs of the Fairness Commission.

Cllr Williams - who said he traced the account to David Smith via a selfie posted on the Jack Hamilton Twitter feed - said he felt the comments went beyond legitimate criticism because they "played the man not the ball" and targeted individuals including council leader James Alexander.

He said: "I think it is highly regrettable that a director of a mental health charity should engage in online bullying."

Had Mr Smith used his own identity to make the criticisms they may have carried more weight, Cllr Williams added.

"The test is - if Mr Smith thought these comments were acceptable, why would he not put his own name to them?"

But Cllr Doughty has defended Mr Smith for exercising his right to ask questions.

He added: "In direct response to accusations of 'trolling', as the Labour group like to label any criticism, a quick search of some of their online comments will reveal what I believe are rather unsavoury double standards and hypocrisy. I am dismayed that this York Labour administration have used David's connection with me as a Conservative councillor to try and seek revenge by destroying his charity career. That to me, is what we could be dealing with here."