THE elected leaders of Carmarthenshire Council have agreed the authority can cover the costs of a legal battle involving its most senior employee.

Newly-published minutes of the council's last executive board meeting, part of which was held behind closed doors, reveal councillors there unanimously resolved to grant an indemnity to an officer because of "the exceptional circumstances involved".

The council confirmed to the Evening Post that this indemnity was to bear the costs associated with a legal action involving chief executive Mark James and internet blogger Jacqui Thompson.

In a statement, it said: "It is confirmed that defamation proceedings have been brought against Carmarthenshire County Council and its chief executive by Mrs Jacqui Thompson, and, based on legal advice, that action is being defended.

"As the matter is sub judice it would not be appropriate to comment at this time."

When the 49-year-old revealed in November that she was taking legal action, she said: "I took this step reluctantly and I didn't feel I had any choice."

Mrs Thompson hit the headlines last summer for being arrested and later released without charge for filming a council meeting.