MORE staff have left a council department in which there has been accusations of psychological bullying.

Multiple sources have reported two further staff members have resigned from posts while part of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s (BDBC) law and governance unit, one of whom was a senior employee.

The Gazette is not naming the senior employee but they are understood to be highlyrespected in their field.

BDBC executive director of finance and resources Kevin Jaquest said: “It would not be appropriate for us to discuss specific staffing matters publicly, especially to give information on individuals or to respond to speculative comments.

“The day-to-day operation of the council in its role as an employer is dealt with appropriately by management and regularly reported to councillors through the HR Committee.”

Last month, The Gazette reported a former member of staff within the unit said absence due to stress and anxiety are at ‘epidemic levels’ and that within the roughly 40 person-strong law and governance unit, ten people left between June 2016 and September 2017, nine by resigning.

A Freedom of Information (FoI) request showed staff absence to stress, depression and other mental health problems in the unit stood at 566 days between June 2016 and September 2017 - nearly 80 per cent of overall absence.

In the year 2016/17 sickness leave due to stress or anxiety across the council was around 28 per cent of total staff absence.

The staff member alleged psychological bullying within the department led to the high levels of absence due to stress and anxiety.

Other sources have told The Gazette spending on locum staff within the unit has risen while up until Monday, BDBC was also advertising for two principal lawyer posts which offered a 10 per cent of starting salary - of £46,654 - introductory payment to attract staff to the authority.