A POLICE investigation has been launched after a councillor at the centre of a love triangle claimed she had been the victim of abusive messages.

Officers are understood to be looking into allegations of a year-long campaign of abuse against Eastleigh Borough councillor Tonia Craig through text messages and social media.

The Daily Echo understands that this was reported to police earlier this week.

A Hampshire Police spokeswoman said: “Officers are currently investigating an allegation of harassment after a 43-year-old woman from Bursledon reported receiving abusive text and social media messages between February 2014 and February 2015.”

The spokeswoman confirmed no arrests had been made.

This comes just months after the Daily Echo reported how council leader Cllr Keith House, 49, had struck up a relationship with fellow Cllr Craig, 43, having ended his relationship with Cllr Louise Bloom.

Cllr Craig was promoted to join the Cabinet as member for health and safety - alongside Cllr House and his former partner of 14 years Cllr Bloom, 50.

Cllr Bloom has not attended the last nine Cabinet meetings, but did turn up to a Hedge End, West End and Botley Local Area Committee on Monday - the first since September last year.

Deputy leader of Eastleigh Borough Council Cllr Anne Winstanley has previously said that Cllr Bloom, who is member for environment and sustainability, had been suffering from “serious health problems” which had limited her ability to attend meetings.

Cllr Godfrey Olson said the allegations were serious and ought to be investigated.

“It's shocking to hear it,” he said.

“It must have been very harrowing for the person on the receiving end.

“The trouble is as a councillor you are fairly vulnerable.

“People who of you and about you and sometimes they can take advantage of that fact and one has to be so careful in public life.”

Cllr Craig did not respond to the Daily Echo's attempts to contact her.

Cllr House has maintained a wall of silence on the subject of his relationship and did not respond to attempts to contact him yesterday.

Cllr Bloom was also unavailable for comment when approached by the Daily Echo.