Mike Hill has been removed from his job as director of the world-famous Bront Parsonage Museum, at Haworth, following a secret internal investigation.

Mr Hill, pictured, an expert on the works of Charlotte, Emily and Anne Bront was suspended at the end of March from the job he had held for three years.

Margaret McCarthy, chairman of the Bront Society, says: "Mr Hill is no longer working at the Parsonage. I have no comment to make about past employees."

She refused to explain why Mr Hill had stepped down and said she had taken legal advice about her position.

She added that the council of the Bront Society had yet to decide whether to employ another director.

"We now have to work with the staff at the Parsonage to keep things on an even keel. Staff have been working very hard."

Bront Society members have hit out at the veil of secrecy surrounding the suspension and have demanded an explanation. Some members are expecting a row at the annual meeting, which is due to take place in June.

Mr Hill, 49, is an expert on the Bronts and took up his post in January 1997, succeeding Jane Sellars, who went to work at Harewood House after seven years in charge.

He lives in the Keighley area with his wife, Pamela. He has kept a low profile since his suspension.

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