CONFUSION surrounds the termination of the contract of the highly-paid director hired to turn around Somerset's children's services - bosses says he was sacked, he claims he'd already resigned.

Peter Lewis, who cost Somerset County Council £1/3million a year, hit back after chief executive Pat Flaherty said he was told to leave because “results have not matched expectations”.

Mr Lewis, interim director of children's services at County Hall since February 2013, said that he handed in his written notice for “private and personal reasons” last month.

He told the BBC: “I was surprised because I'd already given notice that I was terminating the contract three weeks prior to that for private and personal reasons...it had nothing to do with the work in Somerset.”

Mr Lewis, taken on after OFSTED said children's services in Somerset were failing, denied accusations he had not delivered, adding: “Things were improving. Progress was slow and steady...we were succeeding 90% of the time, but things still needed to be done.”

Mr Lewis, who is taking legal advice, defended himself against the £318,500 it cost the county to employ him annually.

He was supplied to the council via an agency called Penna, who paid his salary into a company he owns with his wife - Mr Lewis said the arrangement, which he says was a legal obligation of the job, is “entirely private”.

He added that he paid tax, National Insurance, VAT and corporation tax, while living away from home had costs associated with it and Penna took its cut.

Earlier, Mr Flaherty said he ended Mr Lewis's employment because “results have not matched expectations”, adding there was no pay off or pension payments.

“We have put in extra budgets and extra staff, including more children's social workers,” added Mr Flaherty.

“This has brought improvements which the Government has recognised, but sadly not at the level or speeds anticipated and the current situation with our children's homes and children's centres is just not good enough.”

He said a recent OFSTED inspection of children's centres in Taunton will probably result in a further 'inadequate' rating.

“When you make this much investment into children's services, you expect results to match,” added Mr Flaherty, who has taken on the vacant role while a permanent director is sought.

A council spokesman said: “We can confirm that Peter Lewis's contract was terminated by the authority at 2pm on Friday, October 17.”

Penna declined to comment.

Cllr Linda Vijeh (Conservative) said there had been improvements under Mr Lewis, although not as fast as hoped for, adding: “The buck must stop with him.”

Cllr Justine Baker (LibDem) said: “He was paid more than twice the Prime Minister and wasn't even doing the job up to an acceptable standard.”

Cllr Leigh Redman (Labour) said: “His remuneration package and lack of effective improvement were of grave concern.”

Cllr Mike Rigby (Independent) said: “Despite his vast pay, I couldn't see the improvements that were promised.”