The findings of a council investigation into the mayor’s conduct have still not been revealed, despite confirmation that a complaint was being looked into a year ago.

Middlesbrough Council said that there would be an independent investigation after allegations that someone saw a “naked woman” on Andy Preston’s computer screen in his office.

However, the mayor has strongly denied any wrongdoing and said he had “never and will never be so stupid as to view inappropriate material in a work environment”.

A Middlesbrough Council spokesperson said: “The parties involved are being kept informed of progress. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”

When the allegations first became public the mayor shared a lengthy Facebook post setting out his side of the story.

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According to the mayor, an anonymous letter was sent to Cllr Antony High, who was deputy mayor at the time, which was then flagged by Mr Preston to the council’s chief executive Tony Parkinson.

Talking about the content of the letter, the mayor added: “He described how my office door was wide open and he could see a “GIF-like” image of a naked woman on my computer screen which was facing the door.

“He said it was the kind of thing that could be seen in newspapers.

“He told me he asked a member of staff to remove the image before I came back to the office.”

Last November, the mayor said that the alleged incident was said to have happened around a year earlier, but he claims he wasn’t even there when the supposed event took place and it was never brought to his attention.

Mr Preston also said that the matter had already been dealt with by the council’s head lawyer who had decided further action wasn’t necessary.

According to the mayor, it wasn’t until “council insiders” leaked information to Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald who subsequently submitted a formal complaint, that the issue was opened up again – he said that the pair “don’t get on”.

In his Facebook post, the mayor added: “It is a painful and difficult experience for me and my family to have such allegations and slurs directed towards me when I can’t even defend myself because I wasn’t there and didn’t see any such image.

“I have no idea how the alleged image ever appeared but I know that I have done absolutely nothing wrong.”

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At the time, both of the town’s MPs said that it was important that allegations were fully investigated.

Mr McDonald said: “There is a formal investigative process underway and I trust Mr Preston will fully cooperate with it so that this matter can be brought to a conclusion.”

Simon Clarke, Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said: “In light of the claim and counterclaim now issued, I would repeat my call for a thorough independent investigation – the findings of which must be made public.

“Sunlight is always the best disinfectant and the people of Middlesbrough simply expect the facts.”