THE boss of the Beacon Arts Centre has resigned, the Tele can reveal.

Chief executive Sean Paul O'Hare - who had been on gardening leave since November pending a gross misconduct investigation - has quit with immediate effect.

Mr O'Hare officially left the organisation on Sunday after 14 months in the job.

New Beacon chairman Alex Reedijk has confirmed the chief exec's departure.

Mr Reedijk said: "As previously reported in the press, Sean Paul was suspended from his post pending an investigation. "Sean Paul will no longer be facing any misconduct charges, however, he has decided to resign and pursue a career elsewhere, effective from April 7, 2019. "On behalf of the Beacon, I would like to thank Sean Paul for his time and service to the Beacon and wish him the very best for his future career."

The Tele told in February this year how Mr O'Hare had been placed on gardening leave while an internal probe took place into allegations of gross misconduct.

The Northern Irishman joined on February 6 in 2018, having been a director at an arts centre near Dublin.

He replaced Jackie Shearer, who was in charge for nearly three years.

Mr O'Hare's resignation comes amidst a major shake-up of the organisation after the Telegraph revealed the Beacon was experiencing major financial problems which threatened its very existence.

New chairman Mr Reedijk has been brought in to help steady the ship having been being headhunted by Inverclyde Council, who have also agreed to provide a cash advance to keep the doors open.

The search for a replacement chief executive is now under way.